Natural history notes: Storeria dekayi (DeKay’s Brown Snake). Habitat use

Abstract

The United States harbors high crayfish diversity, with over 394 species and subspecies of native crayfishes currently recognized (Taylor et al. 2019. Hydrobiologia 846:39–58), and the southeastern USA is a center of endemism (Crandall et al. 2008. In Balian et al. [eds.], Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment, pp. 295–301. Springer, Dordrecht, Netherlands). In this region, numerous crayfish species construct intricate burrows in intermittently wet habitats (Welch and Eversole 2006. Biol. Conserv. 130:458–464). These burrows fulfill many purposes, such as providing shelter and serving as hibernacula. Many vertebrates use crayfish burrows, and some obligately rely on them (e.g., Lithobates areolatus [Crawfish Frog]; Hoffman et al. 2010. BioScience 60:829–834; Clonophis kirtlandii [Kirtland’s Snake]; Ratsch et al. 2020. Animals 10:1057).

Citation

Noonan, C. J., S. B. Adams, M. Bland, R. C. Garrick, and P. F. Allison, Jr. 2024. Natural history notes: Storeria dekayi (DeKay’s Brown Snake). Habitat use. Herpetological Review 55:593.