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Sex, season, and time of day interact to affect body temperatures of the Giant Gartersnake

January 1, 2009

1.We examined multiple hypotheses regarding differences in body temperatures of the Giant Gartersnake using temperature-sensitive radio telemetry and an information-theoretic analytical approach.2.Giant Gartersnakes selected body temperatures near 30 ??C, and males and females had similar body temperatures most of the year, except during the midsummer gestation period.3.Seasonal differences in the body temperatures of males and females may relate to both the costs associated with thermoregulatory behavior, such as predation, and the benefits associated with maintaining optimal body temperatures, such as successful incubation.

Publication Year 2009
Title Sex, season, and time of day interact to affect body temperatures of the Giant Gartersnake
DOI 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2009.01.006
Authors G.D. Wylie, Michael L. Casazza, B.J. Halstead, C.J. Gregory
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Thermal Biology
Index ID 70034830
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse