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  1. Texas ratsnake predation on southern flying squirrels in red-cockaded woodpecker cavities

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    Author(s): D. Craig Rudolph; Richard R. Schaefer; Josh B. Pierce; Dan Saenz; Richard N. Conner
    Date: 2009
    Source: Southeastern Naturalist 8(Special Issue 2):41-46
    Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
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    Description

    Elaphe spp. (ratsnakes) are frequent predators on cavity-nesting birds and other vertebrates, including Glaucomys volans (Southern Flying Squirrels). They are known predators of Picoides borealis (Red-cockaded Woodpeckers), especially during the nestling phase. Picoides borealis cavities are frequently occupied by Southern Flying Squirrels, often several squirrels per cavity. Behavioral aspects of ratsnake predation on flying squirrels in woodpecker cavities is an important component required for a full understanding of the potentially complex interaction between Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Southern Flying Squirrels, and ratsnakes. We induced previously captured Elaphe obsoleta (Texas Ratsnake) to climb boles of pine trees and gain access to Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavities known to contain Southern Flying Squirrels, and observed the resulting predatory interactions. Eight of nine ratsnakes successfully captured 14 of 22 Southern Flying Squirrels present in the cavities.

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    Citation

    Rudolph, D. Craig; Schaefer, Richard R.; Pierce, Josh B.; Saenz, Dan; Conner, Richard N. 2009. Texas ratsnake predation on southern flying squirrels in red-cockaded woodpecker cavities. Southeastern Naturalist 8(Special Issue 2):41-46.

    Keywords

    cavity, Elaphe obsoleta, Picoides borealis, predation, red-cockaded woodpecker, southern flying squirrel

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