Here is a couple excerpts from, Snakes: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 1987, edited by Seigel, Collins, and Novak. “In this section we have attempted to summarize the current state of knowledge concerning movement patterns and home range in snakes. Information on these phenomena in snakes ranges from anecdotal observations to detailed studies aimed at addressing specific questions about habitat use; hence the quality of information varies widely among studies. For many taxa we know nothing at all about these subjects. Most of the literature deals with Temperate Zone snakes.” Also, “One might expect that, within species, the size of a snake would affect the extent of its average daily movements, because vagility should increase with size, as noted by Clark (1970, 1974). However, dispersal distances or distances between captures for juveniles have been shown to be as variable and as great as those for adults (Fitch, 1960; Clark, 1974; Macartney, 1985). Viitanen (1967) suggested that the range of movements from the hibernaculum increases with size and age in Vipera berus, but his data are not very convincing. For other species no correlation has been found between body length (or weight) and distance moved (Fraker, 1970) or home range size (Barbour et al., 1969; Coddard, 1980; Michot, 1981). Certainly, one area where we need more research is in the movements of young snakes.” These quotes are from the paper, “Movements and Home Ranges”, by Gregory, Macartney, and Larsen, pgs. 374-380. There is an extensive bibliography.



Another book which has a lot of great info is, “Rattlesnakes,” by Laurence M. Klauber, first printed in 1956. This is one of the most indepth studies of a group of snakes by any herpetologist, but there is very little info on snake dispersal. I think this is a topic that has not been covered very well and is open for research. I personally have not done any scientific studies and all my observations should be considered as anecdotal.



In Michigan, some of my favorite snakes for study have been the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Eastern milksnake, and three garter snake species. Although research is ongoing with the massasaugas and much current understanding needs to be confirmed with more data, it seems they do migrate seasonally to a certain extent to accomplish their various goals. At my current study site it seems they hibernate in a swamp and forage actively in summer in an adjacent dry field area. Adults are very loyal to their hibernating locations and it’s possible the young of the year follow them into the swamps. However, I have found young in the foraging areas after the adults seem to have left and before they have returned. It’s possible the young overwinter in the foraging areas. The winter death toll may be quite high for the young snakes. At any rate I don’t think any of the snakes move more than ¼ mile within their respective ranges. Nearby is a ridge that leads to a higher elevation plateau area. No rattlers have ever been seen on this ridge or in the plateau area. They are restricted to certain habitats.



About two miles from my rattler site is a site for Butler’s garter snakes. I’ve been studying them at this site for about ten yrs. The site is not more than ¼ mile square and I have never seen any of these garters outside of this site. I have always found the babies in a very small area within the site. Different snakes do different things and Butler’s garters are capable of maintaining themselves in a very small area. Growing up in the Detroit area I knew of several locations that were just a vacant lot that had good populations of Butler’s garters. I think the amt. of dispersal is dependent on many variables including the species itself.



Hope this is a good starter for you…..TC

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