Does Anthropogenic Disturbance Influence Defensive Behavior of Radio-Telemetered Crotalus atrox in N
Cocks, Karina karina.yvonne7@gmail.com
Department of Biological Sciences and Colorado Plateau Research Station Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Nowak, Erika M.
School of Earth and Sustainability and Department of Biological Sciences
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Calvo, Christopher
Colorado Plateau Research Station Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Rattlesnakes employ multiple well-documented defensive behaviors as a response to approach or attack by potential predators, including human predators. However, there is a popular theory, rarely if at all backed up by experimental or observational data, that rattlesnakes may habituate to human presence and thus be less likely to exhibit defensive behaviors, including rattling, in situations where there is frequent contact. In this study, we assess historical behavioral data collected from adult Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) during 2002-2007 during radio-telemetric studies at two Arizona national monuments, to determine: 1) if the frequency of defensive behaviors differs between sites; 2) if individual rattling or other defensive behaviors decreases with duration of study (i.e., telemetered period for each individual); and 3) if telemetered animals living in close proximity to visitor centers and staff housing have diminished defensive behaviors relative to individuals. Behavioral data is standardized by body temperature. Based on preliminary analyses of the data, we hypothesize that: 1) there will be no difference in frequency of defensive behaviors (tongue flicking, freezing, duration of rattling, escaping) between sites; 2) defensive behaviors are highest in the first two weeks of telemetry; and 3) there is no difference in behavior resulting from proximity to anthropogenic areas. Implications of this research for rattlesnake management in national parks and monuments will be discussed.