BULLETIN FLORIDA MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY VOL. 38, PT. 1(5)


of 164-166 MHz, were surgically implanted into the peritoneal cavity of the snake
following the procedures outlined in Reinert and Cundall (1982). Transmitters
weighed from 6 to 27 g and comprised up to 2% of the total body weight of the
study animal. Transmitters measured from 30 to 70 mm and were attached to a
flexible antenna measuring about 45 cm. Estimated life expectancies of these
transmitters varied from 60 days to over a year.
 Radio signals were received using a TR2 (Telonics) receiver. A truck with a
mounted dipole antenna was driven over the roads in the area of the snake's last
location. The search was continued until the transmission of the snake's radio was
intercepted. The specific location was then determined by proceeding on foot with
a hand-held, 2-element, H-antenna. Occasionally, snakes retreated to inaccessible
areas of the preserve that necessitated search by canoe or airplane.
 Snakes were located one to five times per week. Visits were restricted to less
than five minutes during which time data were recorded. Care was taken to
minimize disturbance to the area in order to insure that the reptile's behavior was
unaffected. For each location, the following data were noted: date, time (eastern
standard time), habitat type, whether snake was visible to observer, snake's position
in vertical strata (in tree, on ground, below ground), snake's physical position or
activity (coiled, loosely coiled, crawling), identity of burrows used (gopher tortoise,
armadillo, or other), if snake rattled during visit, if snake's eyes appeared opaque
(before shedding), if snake had recently shed, and if snake had recently fed (lump
visible in body).
 Each location was given a unique number and recorded on a blue survey flag
placed as close as possible (within 1 m) to the snake's position. Attached to the
flag wire was a small aluminum tag (Al Tag) bearing the location number and the
snake's code name. The metal tags served as permanent markers in the event that
snakes returned to these sites. Each location was marked on a Florida Department
of Transportation aerial photograph (scale: 1"= 200'). These photographs are of
such resolution that individual trees, roads, and other features could be used to
establish the snake's location.

 Necropsies.- To gain information on food habits, necropsies were performed
on 22 C. adamanteus. These specimens were obtained as road kills from
north-central Florida counties (Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Marion, Putnam, and
Union).

 Data Analysis.- Home ranges were measured using the McPAAl
(Smithsonian Institution) computer program. Minimum convex polygons, concave
polygons, and 95% ellipses were calculated for snakes with a record of 50 or more
observations. Movements between consecutive locations were measured as
straight-line distances directly from the aerial photographs. Activity seasons and
overwintering periods were subjectively assigned to each snake based on daily
activities and general movement patterns.