A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

APPENDIX E. Report on a 2003 field survey of snakes on FLMR.
INTRODUCTION
A Survey of the Snakes of Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation,
Leavenworth County, Kansas, in 2003
Hank Guarisco
Research Associate
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
P.O. Box 3171, Lawrence, KS 66046
A survey of the snakes of Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation (FLMR), Leavenworth County,
Kansas, was conducted from May–October 2003. This work was part of a larger investigation
intended to identify the presence of notable species of plants, animals, and natural communities
on FLMR. Of particular interest were three snake species that potentially may occur on FLMR:
northern redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae), and
timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). The first two species are state threatened in Kansas,
while the timber rattlesnake is a Kansas Species In Need of Conservation (SINC).
METHODS
Both systematic and opportunistic surveys were conducted in 2003. For the former, 31 pieces of
corrugated metal, which served as shelters, were placed in upland areas on FLMR, mostly along
roads and trails, and at the edges of forests and old fields. Shelters were installed on 11 June and
checked periodically until 11 July, when an extended period of hot, dry weather commenced.
This hot spell lasted though August, precluding any field work. The weather improved in early
September, at which time six drift fence arrays were installed in the extreme southeastern part of
FLMR in an attempt to detect the presence of the western hognose snake, which was collected in
this area in October 1999. These methods were described and evaluated by Fitch (1987) and
Parmelee and Fitch (1995). Each array consisted of a drift fence of galvanized roll metal 36–41
cm (14-16 in) wide and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) long. The ends usually were located in a sheltered spot,
such as a group of trees. A wire funnel trap with a large-mouth mason jar was placed at each
end. The base of the fence was buried in the soil ca 5 cm (2 in) and the fence fastened with lag
bolts to 3 or 4, 5 x 5 cm pine braces. The braces were angled away from the drift fence and
staked into the ground with #20 nails. Coordinates of shelters and traps were determined using a
Magellan GPS 310 unit. Reptiles that were not recognized immediately were identified using
Collins (1993) and released as soon as possible thereafter. Drift fences and traps were removed
on 12 October.
Opportunistic surveys consisted of frequently checking a junk pile containing scattered metal tins
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