2015/06/01 by Jennifer M. Howze, Lora L. Smith · 1 citation
Environmental Science · #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
paper · doi:10.1656/058.014.0214
openalex publication_date 2015/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
We examined spatial ecology and habitat use of Coluber flagellum (Coachwhip) in a 12,000-ha Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) reserve in southwestern Georgia from 2007 through 2008. We radio-tracked 7 Coachwhips (5 males and 2 females) for 291 to 325 days. The average 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home-range for all snakes was 102.9 ± 28 ha. Daily movement during the active season (April–November) varied from 28.6 to 73.6 m for males (n = 5) and from 27.5 to 95.6 m for females (n = 2). Snakes were usually associated with open-canopied pine forests and found less often in aquatic and agricultural habitats. Our results are consistent with evidence from previous studies in that Coachwhips used sites with open-forest structure and large expanses of habitat.