Artificial refugia for imperiled crotalines: intentions, design and preliminary results

Artificial refugia for imperiled crotalines: intentions, design and preliminary results

Jarboe, Christian "Alec"

ajarboe@savethebuzztails.org

Daly-Crews, Tony

Bright, Tiffany

The Rattlesnake Conservancy

Jacksonville, Florida USA

Habitat loss remains a global driver of reptile declines. Refugia are locations which provide protection from exposure to abiotic factors (e.g. temperature), and are major components of the ability of habitats to support populations. Here, we investigate the use of artificial refugia as a viable method to support imperiled snake populations — with special focus on the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) — until such a time in which habitat restoration objectives can be met. In this ongoing project, artificial refugia are designed to mimic the thermal conditions of potential natural refugia which snakes may utilize. Selected host sites are undergoing habitat restoration, and include former cattle pasture, silviculture pine plantation and fire-suppressed oak hammock. Monitoring objectives include documenting biotic factors, chiefly which species of snake utilize these structures, and abiotic factors, including temperature inside the artificial refugia versus on the outside, etc. We discuss methodology, both for design and construction, and for monitoring and data collection. Preliminary results from the 2024-2025 field season and future directions of the project will also be shared.