Ecology and Energetics of Three Sympatric Rattlesnake Species in the Sonoran Desert

I investigated habitat use, home ranges, activity patterns, thermal biology, and energetics of sympatric western diamondback (Crotalus atrox), black-tailed (C. molossus), and tiger rattlesnakes (C tigris) in the Sonoran desert of southeastern Arizona. The three species differed significantly in their choice of habitats, and habitats used by snakes were significantly influenced by season. Crotalus atrox used mainly creosotebush flats, but switched to rocky slopes during winter. Crotalus molossus frequented rocky areas, but during late summer and fall used arroyos and creosotebush flats. Crotalus tigris was a strict rock dweller during winter and spring, but used edges of arroyos during summer. Crotalus atrox, C. molossus, and C. tigris had mean home range sizes of 5.42 ha, 3.49 ha, and 3.48 ha, respectively. Over the