Field Evaluation of Two External Attachment Location of Radio Transmitters on Non-Venomous Rat Snakes (elaphe obsolete)

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of external attachment of radio transmitters at one of two locations on mature rat snakes (Elaphe obsolete). Transmitters were attached to mature snakes (n = 10; 136.7cm ± 6.4) on either the ventral surface (n = 5) or dorsal-lateral surface of the rib cage (n = 5), approximately 25cm cranially to the cloaca. Transmitters (18mm × 8mm × 2mm) were attached by one drop of acrylamide gel glue to the adhering side of camouflage duct tape (20cm × 30mm), a single drop of glue on the exposed side of the transmitter, and secured by wrapping the tape to the snake’s body with the transmitter in the appropriate location. A second piece of duct tape (20cm × 40mm) overlapped and secured the first piece of tape with the transmitter. Snakes were placed in a 0.1ha plastic fence enclosure, (128.5cm ± 0.5 height, and 17.1° ± 0.5 inward slope) in an unimproved pasture with numerous hides, water and food. Snakes (n = 4) shed their skin and the transmitter, within 6- 17d post-attachment (11.7d ± 2.4). Snakes (n = 4) escaping the enclosure and not located, ranged from 1- 21d post-attachment, (12.3d ± 4.7). There was no difference (p \u3e 0.05) in functional days snakes were located by radio telemetry due to attachment site or sex. Transmitter reception distance was typically \u3c 50m and often problematic. Results of this study suggest that the location of external attachment of transmitters had no influence on duration of effectiveness. However, shedding and limited telemetry range under these conditions should be considered to determine if the methodology is appropriate for the desired objectives