SEASONAL ACTIVITY OF THE SNAKES OF LONG PINE KEY, EVERGLADES NATIONAL-PARK

We found 20 species of snakes in the Long Pine Key region of Everglades National Park. From 1984-86, data were obtained on 1782 snakes. Peak activity occurred during the wet season from May-Oct. We analyzed activity of the nine most common species in detail. The overall pattern was bimodal; captures peaked in early summer and fall. Coluber constrictor, Diadophis punctatus, Opheodrys aestivus, and Thamnophis sauritus were most common in early summer (May-July). Sistrurus miliarius was most common in fall (Oct.). Elaphe guttata, E. obsoleta, Storeria dekayi, and T. sirtalis had two or more peaks of activity. Species samples were broken down into adult males, females, and non-adults (juveniles plus young-of-the-year [YOY]. Males were more common in the samples of C. constrictor, E. guttata, E. obsoleta, and Sistrurus miliarius. Females were more common in D. punctatus, O. aestivus, Storeria dekayi, and T. sirtalis. Both sexes were equally common in T. sauritus. Juveniles and YOY were especially common in the fall in E. obsoleta, Storeria dekayi, T. sirtalis, and Sistrurus miliarius, and contributed significantly to a second peak in numbers: Individuals of many species were encountered at varying frequencies over all 12 mo in a year. Since activity patterns and/or relative abundances for the subgroups were different in most species, we conclude that activity curves for snake species that do not include data on sex and age may be of limited value for study of phenology and reproductive ecology. Data on hatching and birth dates are presented, and when taken with activity data reveal only moderate alteration of typical temperature zone patterns of reproduction and activity in this subtropical region.