Snake Monitoring

Some days I spend hours grabbing snakes!  As a snake monitor, I am one of several stewards in this area leading groups that monitor snakes.  Our goals are to learn what species live here, their population size, and what areas they inhabit.  We are using this data, as well as other related information, to assist in making habitat management decisions. 

Wildlife monitoring activities for any species are designed based on prior knowledge of when and where a species may be found and what kinds of activities we might observe. For snakes, we identify possible sites based on several factors: being away from human activities, having access to food, water, and shelter for overnight and bad weather.  We set out numerous snake boards. A snake board is a piece of rubber, wood or metal approximately two square feet in size and heavy enough that it will not be moved by wind or animals.  A line of these are laid out in the observation area, about one every 8-10 yards.  I use three boards at each of my dozen or so sites, but there can be 1 to many used. 

Snakes are ectotherms, meaning they must obtain heat from their surroundings.  Snakes require heat to perform any action including moving, hunting and digestion.  Snake boards are generally placed in sunny areas.  This creates a spot where a snake can spend a few safe and sheltered hours absorbing heat that will allow them to hunt, eat and digest a meal.  When they are warm enough, they will leave the board area, complete their hunting or other movements.  They usually spend the night under rocks or logs in a close-by and safe place and return again the next day.

Monitors usually work in pairs.  When we visit a site, we will record date, time, and weather conditions.  One monitor lifts the board and both monitors capture any snakes that are present, placing them into a soft, cloth bag.  As each snake is removed from the bag, we record the species, weight, length and any identifying marks.

Several pictures are taken of each one, and then they are released.  They usually disappear quickly into the underbrush, but may not go far and may return to the board after we are gone.  Observations are made at least weekly, and are varied by time of day or weather conditions in order to have data across a wide spectrum of factors.

We have a wide variety of questions, and we are always adding more to the list.  Identifying what data to collect to provide answers, helps determine and refine our procedures.  Questions range from statistical to curious such as what snakes do we find in DuPage County, where do they live, what do they eat, can they swim, what restoration activities affect them and how, what management practices need to take them into consideration.  Collected data is used by scientists, teachers and stewards as we learn more about our own environment and how to manage its health.