Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i would like to know if anyone is aware of available literature on indigo (predator)rey population densities, frequency of hunting activity or probability of successful hunting attempts?
thanks,
Dave B

umm, I do not know where that smiley face came from hahaha. i tried to type predator : prey population densities...
db

Drymarchon spp.are highly opportunistic feeders, taking a large variety of prey, which would make such a study a very difficult undertaking, to say the least.
While I do not know of any studies directed at the predator / prey dynamics and population densities targeting D. couperi, off the top of my head, I would be inclined believe if there is published data to this regard, such would have been conducted by either Paul E. Moler or Dr. Dan W. Speake, so a search of publications by either may provide you with some insight to this regard..

Good luck,

Jeff
-----
Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

In the 80's I held a printout of a very interisting study conducted on cape canaveral involving radio telimentary tracking and used males and females, seems males used a home range of 350 acres a year and the males home ranges overlaped but their winter (protected) territory of 50 acres did not overlap and the sattlite photo of the cape showed tracks and the males would do consistant 180* at the point of intersect with other males sent trail bordering their home ranges. as for the females...home ranges of 200 acres in summer but very small winter (protected)areas and rarely moved in winter, males did move all winter, girls did so only to drink. the study also found MOST indigos would do 180* at paved roads but would cross RRs and dirt roads. females home ranges and winter territory BOTH overlaped and for each home range of a males 350 acres, 1-8 females may reside mixing with other males homeranges...I wish I could find that article again...JB heres a pic of my new eastern coachwhip

hey thanks! great, interesting info & beautiful 'whip too! i saw them in the racer forum but this pic is even better. are they eating for you yet?

Yea dan their eating, but i found 10 in that old grove and released the other 5 and kept 3 females and 2 males that would eat. the release recipeants now reside on beaches that are over run with rats and racers in sarasota..

Would any of these be the one you referenced?

Barkaszi, M., R. B. Smith, and D. R. Breininger. 1995. Home range characteristics of the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) on John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA. Page 100 (abstract) in Proceedings of the 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 8–13 August 1995, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA.

Kehl, M. J., R. B. Smith, and D. R. Breininger. 1991. Radiotelemetry studies of eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon corais couperi). Abstract in Proceedings of the Combined Meetings of the 71st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and 7th Annual Meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society, 15–20 June 1991, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA.

Kehl, M. J., R. B. Smith, and D. R. Breininger. 1991. Home range estimates and habitat use of eastern indigo snakes on John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Florida Scientist 54(Supplement 1):15 (abstract).

Dodd, C. K., Jr., R. Franz, W. Timmerman, and B. G. Charest. 1988. Home range of large upland snakes in relation to preserve size in Florida sandhills habitats. Page 84 (abstract) in Proceedings of the Combined Meeting of the Herpetologists' League, American Elasmobranch Society, Early Life History Section of the American Fisheries Society, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, 24–29 June 1988, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Legare, M. L., R. B. Smith, and D. R. Breininger. 2001. Preliminary estimates of eastern indigo snake home range sizes, cause-specific mortality, and survival. Florida Scientist 64(Supplement 1):45 (abstract).

Smith, R. B., M. L. Legare, and D. R. Breininger. 1999. Radiotracking eastern indigo snakes in Brevard County, Florida: Year 1. Page 201 (abstract) in Proceedings of the Joint Meeting of the 79th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, 15th Annual Meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society, 47th Annual Meeting of the Herpetologists' League, and the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 24–30 June 1999, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA.

And then here's one that may be of interest to Florida & Southeast U.S. Indigo owner's:

Speake, D., D. McGlincy, and C. Smith. 1987. Captive breeding and experimental reintroduction of the eastern indigo snake. Pages 84–90 in Proceedings of the 3rd Southeastern Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Symposium, Athens, Georgia, USA.

Hope this helped,

Tim (future Indigo owner...)

Dave,

This is a great link for misc. Indigo information resources.

Hope it helps with your quest...

Tim

(here's the address in case this link doesn't work: http://myfwc.com/herpbibl/resultstopic.asp?Species=DCOU)
Indigo articles