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Science support document : sensitive snake species and hibernacula range

Description

This science support document provides a summary of biological and policy rationale for the Sensitive Snake Species and Hibernacula Range sensitivity layer. Additionally, science support documents... More ≫

Description

This science support document provides a summary of biological and policy rationale for the Sensitive Snake Species and Hibernacula Range sensitivity layer. Additionally, science support documents can be used by anyone to learn about a wildlife sensitivity layer and its connection to the Landscape Analysis Tool and associated conditions found in the Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions.

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Snakes in Alberta

Description

Snakes contribute significantly to controlling rodent and insect populations in the province, and also serve as prey for mammals and raptors. The preservation of snakes helps to preserve a health... More ≫

Description

Snakes contribute significantly to controlling rodent and insect populations in the province, and also serve as prey for mammals and raptors. The preservation of snakes helps to preserve a health native prairie ecosystem. This brochure identifies threats to snakes, presents facts on various snake species in the province, explains what to do when encountering a snake, and how to help ensure a healthy snake population.

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Prairie rattlesnake conservation management plan 2016-2021

Description

The prairie rattlesnake has been designated a Species of Special Concern in Alberta because the population is likely to continue to decline if current activities and trends persist, and the... More ≫

Description

The prairie rattlesnake has been designated a Species of Special Concern in Alberta because the population is likely to continue to decline if current activities and trends persist, and the population size and area of occupancy are small. This plan provides background information on the species and outlines a set of objectives and management actions to help meet the goal of maintaining the current distribution and breeding populations of prairie rattlesnakes and, where possible, restoring populations that have experienced declines. Conservation management plans are developed for Species of Special Concern in Alberta, to provide guidance for land and resource management decisions that affect the species and their habitat. They are intended to be a resource tool for provincial and regional fish and wildlife, land and resource management staff.

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Status of the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) in Alberta : update 2012

Description

This wildlife status report looks at the prairie rattlesnake, one of three extant species of rattlesnake found in Alberta. It reaches the northern limit of its range in Alberta and is primarily... More ≫

Description

This wildlife status report looks at the prairie rattlesnake, one of three extant species of rattlesnake found in Alberta. It reaches the northern limit of its range in Alberta and is primarily distributed along major river drainages in the southeastern portion of the province. There appears to have been a long-term decline in abundance of the species in Alberta, likely related to significant historical persecution and habitat loss. At writing the prairie rattlesnake had a status of May Be At Risk. This report summarizes historical and recent information on the species as background information for a reassessment of its status. The report is part of the Alberta Wildlife Status Report series, which provides comprehensive summaries of selected wildlife species intended to be useful to those managing populations of species and their habitats, and to help identify species that may be formally designated as endangered or threatened.

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Reproductive biology of female prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) in Alberta

Description

Many aspects of the biology of prairie rattlesnakes are not well described. This study used mark-recapture to follow the reproductive histories of female prairie rattlesnakes at two hibemacula in... More ≫

Description

Many aspects of the biology of prairie rattlesnakes are not well described. This study used mark-recapture to follow the reproductive histories of female prairie rattlesnakes at two hibemacula in southeastern Alberta over a three year period (2004-2006). In addition, radio-telemetry was used to track the movements of females, revealing the location of several rookeries where gravid females were aggregated. This findings contribute to the understanding of the species’ capacity to recover should populations decline, and a measure of the resilience of the species and its habitat to direct or indirect environmental pressures, aiding wildlife managers to determine the appropriate conservation status.

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Modeling wildlife and biodiversity

Description

As part of the regional resource overview for Southern Alberta Landscapes: Meeting the Challenges Ahead (SAL), input from wildlife professionals throughout Alberta and the other prairie provinces,... More ≫

Description

As part of the regional resource overview for Southern Alberta Landscapes: Meeting the Challenges Ahead (SAL), input from wildlife professionals throughout Alberta and the other prairie provinces, representing provincial governments, the federal government, universities, consulting organizations, and other organizations, was solicited to determine which species and species groups should be modeled, and to decide how modeling of species and species groups should be conducted.

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Rattlers and people : conserving rattlesnakes in Lethbridge

Description

A Lethbridge Rattlesnake Conservation Plan was developed in 2000. It was initiated in response to ongoing losses of prairie rattlesnakes in Lethbridge. This report summarizes the results of the... More ≫

Description

A Lethbridge Rattlesnake Conservation Plan was developed in 2000. It was initiated in response to ongoing losses of prairie rattlesnakes in Lethbridge. This report summarizes the results of the first five years of the Lethbridge Rattlesnake Conservation Program and provides recommendations for future conservation of rattlesnakes in Lethbridge.

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Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) hibernacula : monitoring history in Alberta 1987-2002

Description

This report summarizes the results of surveys at rattlesnake hibernacula in Alberta conducted between 2000 and 2002, as well as data from the literature and from historical numbers of snakes at... More ≫

Description

This report summarizes the results of surveys at rattlesnake hibernacula in Alberta conducted between 2000 and 2002, as well as data from the literature and from historical numbers of snakes at hibernacula as captured in the Alberta Biodiversity Species Observation Database. Observations of snakes at hibernacula made by other observers during the formal study are also included. A compilation of historical and recent observations of snakes at hibernacula provides a means of estimating changes in snake numbers at these sites. Until more intensive methods for estimating the size of the prairie rattlesnake population in Alberta are used (e.g., mark-recapture techniques), these observations and surveys can be used to inform future status assessments of this species.

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Management and recovery strategies for the Lethbridge population of the prairie rattlesnake

Description

The coulees of southwest Lethbridge are home to a small population of prairie rattlesnakes. High rates of mortality from road kills, deliberate human persecution, and a rapid loss of habitat from... More ≫

Description

The coulees of southwest Lethbridge are home to a small population of prairie rattlesnakes. High rates of mortality from road kills, deliberate human persecution, and a rapid loss of habitat from subdivision and recreational development make the future of Lethbridge rattlesnakes uncertain. In 2000, a committee was formed to develop a management plan. This report integrates previous work done, includes pertinent actions from the draft management plan developed in 2000 and summarizes and discusses present and future recovery efforts.

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Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) monitoring in Alberta - preliminary investigations (2000)

Description

In the fall of 2000, a project was undertaken to collect and review information on the over-wintering sites used by the prairie rattlesnake in Alberta. These sites, known as hibernacula, and the... More ≫

Description

In the fall of 2000, a project was undertaken to collect and review information on the over-wintering sites used by the prairie rattlesnake in Alberta. These sites, known as hibernacula, and the surrounding suitable habitat, are undoubtedly important limiting factors affecting rattlesnake distribution within Alberta. This report summarises the preliminary work completed to begin updating historical information on the prairie rattlesnake, and includes suggestions for a long-term monitoring and population analysis program. Information gained from this project is intended to help in the protection and survival of this species in Alberta.

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