Movement and site selection of Eastern Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) in relation to linear features in a suburban nature park
Jellen, Benjamin C.
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri USA
Kessler, Ethan J.
Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois USA
Persistence of urban and suburban viperid populations depends on their ability to navigate landscapes fragmented by roads and other linear anthropogenic features. From 2018-2023, we used radio telemetry to document the movement and habitat selection of Eastern Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) in a suburban nature park near St. Louis, Missouri, USA. We tracked the movements of 14 adult snakes (7 male and 7 female), collecting 1,950 radiolocations. Using random paths analysis and step selection functions, we evaluated their avoidance or attraction to anthropogenic linear features including roads, waterways, nature trails, and power line corridors. Both sexes strongly avoided roads and were less likely to move when occupying habitat within 5 m of roads. In contrast, snakes preferentially crossed trails and utilized power line corridors. Our results provide context for linear feature movement behavior in a suburban pitviper, including the role of roads as barriers to movement. Additionally, nature trails and power line corridors appear to provide some beneficial effects for this species, perhaps for thermoregulation, movement pathways, and/or improved foraging opportunities. Understanding the behavior of pitvipers in urban settings provides valuable management information and an opportunity to study the behavior of individuals in a novel, yet increasingly common, setting.