Thermoregulation and microhabitat use of Tachymenis peruviana (Dipsadidae) in semi-captivity conditions

Abstract

Abstract We studied Tachymenis peruviana`s thermoregulatory strategy, and microhabitat use and selection in an open enclosure at 3400 m elevation during the wet season. We expected that thermal conditions at a high elevation locality would result in differences in the thermoregulatory efficiency within microhabitats through their use and selection along the day. We obtained preferred temperatures and critical thermal tolerance limits of field-captured individuals. Some individuals were kept in an open enclosure with access to four microhabitat types with retreats where to hide. We measured individuals’ field-body temperatures along with substrate and air temperatures, and recorded where the snakes were found according to microhabitat type and if they were inside or outside retreats. Meanwhile, operative temperatures were registered every hour at each offered microhabitat between 08:00 to 18:00 hours. The body and microenvironmental temperatures were highly correlated. Even though the enclosure offered appropriate thermal sources for snakes to reach their preferred temperatures, results indicate that the species met its energy requirements with a low effort in this high elevation enclosure. Almost three-quarters of the observations were recorded in retreat sites, showing a lower thermoregulatory efficiency compared to when they were captured aboveground. A comparative evaluation of the thermoregulation of the species in the field within a variety of thermal regimes experienced along its altitudinal and latitudinal range must still be carried out to better understand the species’ thermoregulatory strategies across the Andes.