Abstract
Swimming speed increased as a function of water temperature and body size. Swimming speed was less thermally dependent at temperatures approximating the snakes' normal range of activity, suggesting that selection has favoured increased performance breadth at this range. In the field, basking snakes retreated to water when approached. Despite a decrease in swimming speed at lower temperatures, and the cost associated with reduced metabolic rate due to loss of body temperature, however, flight distances were independent of water temperature. Basking snakes retreated to water sooner when perched at lower heights, possibly indicating that N. sipedon are more vulnerable to predators when on low perches. -from Authors
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 94-98 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
Volume | 70 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1992 |