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


constituted about 37% of the total area available, more than would be expected if
movements within habitats were completely random (1189 observation-days, 242
sites). Snakes used the Old Fields and High Pine Forests, which constituted more
than 60% of the area available, less than would be expected (181 observation-days,
39 sites). The Lake Meadow, which constituted less than 1% of the area available,
also was used less than would be expected (0 observations).
 The Wet Prairie, a habitat with a wide array of possible prey species, was
used by two radio-tagged rattlesnakes during drought periods in 1988. On 20
April, Fl entered the prairie on the west side of Goose Lake and remained in that
habitat until about 25 August. During this period she used over 15 locations and
traveled over an area approximately 20 ha in size. On about 1 August, M3 entered
the same prairie and remained until about 26 August. At this time rain caused a
rise in water levels, which presumably drove the snakes from the marshes. The use
of the Wet Prairie by these snakes demonstrate the diamondback's ability to exploit
an ephemeral resource. Except under drought conditions, the wet prairie is
inundated by water and is unsuitable to diamondback foraging since these snakes
do not hunt in watery or wet conditions. They are adept swimmers, however (Carr
1940).
 Of other large Ordway snakes, only the two rat snakes are reported to use the
mesic forests to the same extent that C. adamanteus used such habitats. However,
these species use the habitat in a somewhat different fashion. The yellow rat snake
is decidedly arboreal, favoring the holes of live oak trees in which to hide. The
corn snake is more terrestrial and semi-fossorial, choosing mole (Scalopus
aquaticus) runways and other mammal burrows (Franz 1988). Since the three
species of snakes feed on similar prey (small mammals and birds) and use similar
habitats, it is interesting to note that their niches do not greatly overlap. This
apparent resource partitioning would tend to reduce competition among the snakes
for food.

 Activity Seasons.- Unlike some snakes we studied at the Ordway, C.
 adamanteus did not seek refuge for long periods during the winter. It may seek
 shelter in some burrow for a few days or, rarely, a few weeks, but will remain on
 the surface as long as the weather is not too inclement. For this reason, it is often
 difficult to say exactly when winter begins and ends for the eastern diamondback
 rattlesnake. Means (1985) characterized the winter behavior of C. adamanteus as
 a "picture of restless inactivity." It appears that this species takes advantage of
 every opportunity to remain on the surface.
 The earliest date I believe snakes began overwintering at the Ordway was 27
 November, and the latest was 30 December; both animals were adult females. The
 earliest date for the resumption of summer activity patterns was 11 March, and the
 latest was 10 April; both were adult males. The winter season for eastern
 diamondbacks at the Ordway is thus roughly December through February. Snakes
 move very little, if any, during this period, but are quite vagile during the