| Abstract [eng] |
Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) are an asset of Lithuanian biodiversity, one of the rarest reptiles in the country found in only a few places in the Lithuania. Herpetological research on this species has not been performed in Lithuania, therefore this research aims to study the biological peculiarities of smooth snake and population abundance in southern Lithuania, in the territory of Dzūkija National Park and Čepkeliai State strict Nature Reserve. The 3 sites of the national park were selected for this herpetological research: first and second places are southern slopes of Čepkeliai marsh, third are former military training ground, sandy, well - heated heath. 20 units of artificial refugee‘s (ATR) were used to search for smooth snakes, which are built in those 3 different places in the national park potential smooth snakes habitats. Reptiles are also searched with active search method and by checking potential natural snakes refugee‘s. The study monitors all reptiles that have been accurately identified to assess biological relationships and reptile abundance. Only smooth snakes were caught for measurement and sex identification. The herpetological hook was used for catching snakes. At the end of the study, air temperature and humidity parameters of Varėna district were purchased from the State Hydrometeorological Service, which were used for statistical analyzes and reptile activity and abundance in different weather conditions. During this study, in May - August 2019, a total of 62 snakes were observed 335 times including 14 adults (12 females, 2 males) and 48 offsprings. The largest number of different smooth snakes per day was observed 41 individuals (offsprings) in first and second research sites at 15/08/2019. Smooth snakes females stays together during gestation in order to keep their bodies warm during the day, keeping them warm at night as long as posible and this promote faster offsprings development. Males do not stay in a permanent place they are using random refugee‘s. Females smooth snakes leave their gestation refugee‘s and starts searching for prey a few days after giving birth. Adult snakes did not return to the same location where the offsprings were left until the end of the study. Smooth snakes behavior was consistent with healthy individuals. They feared humans, used the usual defense mechanisms. During the study period 6 snakes sheds were found, 2 of them without pathologies, full of snakes lenght it were found after rain. The rest were found in the dry time cracked and incomplete, which proves the pathological shedding of 4 adult snakes in the presence of low humidity in the air. Smooth snakes were mostly observed near their natural refugee‘s which were on the slopes facing the marsh side. |
