Marking the un-markable: visible implant elastomer in wild juvenile snakes

Abstract

C (CMR) studies are important in the collection of data on individual development, site fidelity, movement patterns, and abundance of individuals (Sanchez-Camara & Booth, 2004; Krebs, 1989). As most CMR studies rely on distinguishing one individual from another, unique marks or patterns are key to an effective study. The marks must meet several fundamental criteria: the mark cannot be easily lost; it must not affect the survival of the individual; it must not affect the likelihood of recapture; and it must be recordable (Otis et al., 1978). Because of their small size and lack of limbs, juvenile snakes have been difficult to mark (Winne et al., 2006). As a result, the natural history and movement ecology of juvenile snakes remains poorly understood and represents a major knowledge gap in herpetology (Ferner & Plummer, 2016). There are many different methods by which a mark can be applied to snakes (Haines & Modde, 1996; Powell & Proulx, 2003), but most have drawbacks undermining their utility. Externally mounted tags can be shed or knocked off when the snake is active and may hinder the snake in its movement. Ventral scale clipping marks are less obtrusive to the animal, but can sometimes be confused due to new scars on the ventral side of the snake, and substantial regrowth of clipped tissue. The https://doi.org/10.33256/hj30.3.173176