Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Ecology and natural history of the green rat snake at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge, Cochise County, Arizona

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Green rat snakes (Senticolis triaspis) appear to be rare throughout their range, and little is known about their ecology and life history. Using opportunistically captured S. triaspis coupled with captive observations, natural observations, and radio telemetry, we document several natural history and ecological aspects of the species. The only known food items are small mammals; the species only rarely climbs in trees; preferred habitats are steep, rocky east-facing slopes with desertscrub vegetation; and active body temperatures typically are 23.4 - 29.7 oC. The species’ conservation will depend on knowing its life-history and ecology, and protecting rocky slopes and mammalian food items.

Parent Publication

Keywords

Senticolis triaspis, ecology, life history, habitats, food, radio telemetry

Citation

Radke, William R.; Malcom, Jacob W. 2005. Ecology and natural history of the green rat snake at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge, Cochise County, Arizona. In: Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 434-437
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/23251