Download or read book Ecology of Bullsnakes (Pituophis Catenifer Sayi) in the Upper Midwest written by Joshua M. Kapfer and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 79 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi) have been the subject of few research projects, locally and nationally, despite supposed regional declines. Little rigorously obtained and analyzed ecological data exists for this species with which to make sound conservation or management decisions. This is particularly true in the upper Midwest, which represents the periphery of the snake's geographic range. The ecology of bullsnakes in this peripheral location was investigated by studying (1) habitat preferences, both macrohabitat and microhabitat; (2) movement patterns, including measures of home range, movement rates, and site fidelity; and (3) population characteristics such as estimations of population size, sex ratio analysis and mortality rates (via mark-recapture methods). Data were obtained by radio-tracking 14 to 20 adult bullsnakes in Sauk County, Wisconsin from 2003-2005. Male and female bullsnakes exhibited a preference for open bluff faces (