BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 July 2017 Radio Transmitter Implantation and Movement in the Wild Timber Rattlesnake ( Crotalus horridus)
Vanessa L. Hale, Brian MacGowan, Lorraine Corriveau, David C. Huse, Andrea F. T. Currylow, Steve Thompson
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Radiotelemetry transmitters have become critical to studies of wildlife ecology. However, little is known about how transmitter implantation surgery affects the mobility of some species, including the timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus. Tracking snake movement can provide insights into the effects of transmitter implantation. During 2007–11, 71 radio transmitters were surgically implanted intracoelomically in 47 timber rattlesnakes. Over 20 of these snakes underwent surgery at least twice in 5 yr to replace old transmitters. Surgeries were performed under general anesthesia with a local nerve block at the site of implantation, 20 cm cranial to the cloaca. Snakes were also administered postsurgical meloxicam and enrofloxacin every 24 h for three doses. Two to five days after surgery, snakes were released at their original locations and radiotracked regularly during the active seasons (April–October 2007–11). Average daily movement data (distance traveled) were compiled for each snake. Snakes undergoing transmitter surgery in a given year did not differ significantly in distance traveled compared to snakes that had transmitters but did not have surgery in that year. Distance traveled for each snake did not differ before or after surgery or between weeks 1 and 2 postsurgery, indicating that the transmitter implantation did not alter snake movement.

© Wildlife Disease Association 2017
Vanessa L. Hale, Brian MacGowan, Lorraine Corriveau, David C. Huse, Andrea F. T. Currylow, and Steve Thompson "Radio Transmitter Implantation and Movement in the Wild Timber Rattlesnake ( Crotalus horridus)," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 53(3), 591-595, (1 July 2017). https://doi.org/10.7589/2016-08-186
Received: 9 August 2016; Accepted: 1 November 2016; Published: 1 July 2017
KEYWORDS
Crotalus horridus
GIS
meloxicam
NSAID
radio transmitter
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top