Spatial ecology of the eastern massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) in a New York peatland

The eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) is listed as endangered in New York and is currently known from only two locations in the state. Characteristics of this species' spatial ecology and habitat preferences were investigated between 1989 and 1992 in Cicero Swamp, a large wetland complex near Syracuse, New York, which contains a 37 ha peatland of critical importance to massasaugas. Radiotelemetered male (N = 11) and nongravid females (N = 2) left the peatland for nearby swamp forest soon after spring emergence while gravid females (N = 2) remained in the peatland until parturition. All telemetered snakes overwintered in the peatland. Of individuals tracked for the entire active season, gravid females moved significantly shorter distances per day (x̄ = 7.1 m) and per season (x̄ = 751.9 m) than either males (mean distance/day = 20.5 m; mean distance/season = 2940.2 m) or nongravid females (mean distance/day = 22.9 m; mean distance/season = 3712.2 m). Similarly, 100% minimum convex polygon activity range estimates were smaller for gravid females (x̄ = 2.0 ha) than for either males (x̄ = 27.8 ha) or nongravid females (x̄ = 41.4 ha). These findings suggest that conservation efforts for eastern massasaugas in Cicero swamp should focus on peatland habitat used by gravid females.