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PREDOMINANT SNAKE

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AGILIS View Drop Down
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    Posted: 20 Jun 2011 at 7:11pm
Apart from adder sitings does anyone think the smooth snake in some of the Dorset sites could be the predominant snake, as some areas I have seen more the our other two. As herpo surveys must have some statistics on them?

Edited by AGILIS - 20 Jun 2011 at 7:14pm
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David Bird View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David Bird Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2011 at 7:58pm
On several Dorset heathland sites that I work on, the Smooth Snake is the most numerous snake with Grass Snake 2nd and Adder a poor third place.
 
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dave fixx View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dave fixx Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2011 at 10:32pm
David, If you just worked on figures of snakes encountered basking and not under refugia,do the rankings alter for these sites?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vicar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 2:31pm
You can work out some stats here: http://www.surrey-arg.org.uk/cgi-bin/statistics/ObservabilityStats2.asp

Although not exactly what you want, as this compares all sites where the species is seen, and does not compare sightings at any particular site. A lot depends on time of year too, with a large peak in Ca observations in August (mostly females). Also worth noting that Ca dominance can occur on one section of a site and adder dominant at other areas (such as woodland margins).

It's a complex question :P - but there's no doubt that where Ca does occur, it can be very numerous and out-compete the other snake species given favourable conditions - partly because they will delight in eating juvenile snakes of other species...and probably even their own. Tongue We have some parts of sites in Surrey where you don't get adders...just Ca and the occasional nomadic Nn. There are also areas where you can find all 3 snake species under one tin.


Edited by Vicar - 23 Jun 2011 at 2:32pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Noodles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 3:53pm
Great little toy that Vicar
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