Matlock wrote:

I don't see what the big deal is about him relocating the snake. Unless I'm missing something here....

It really wasn't a big deal. The reason it was mentioned is because depending on how far and to where you relocate a snake, there is very high mortality. It's understood that relocation from under a weapon is necessary. However, depending on the method of relocation, it may not help at all.

So what you're saying is "You're screwed if you do, screwed if you don't"?

Not necessarily. That is why I split this off of the other thread. I think this is a topic that needs to be discussed. There are many very educated people on here. I would very much like their input on the issue. What requirements are there for a successful relocation?

I think it first must be understood what can and does happen to the snakes when they are taken from their home range... I remember past topics but without actually searching and quoting... that information may be lost to future inquiries as well.  I remember it being said that the snake will be in constant search of its own range and will literally starve itself to death because its focusing on finding that area...  if you relocate within a reasonable distance ( a mile? is that what they said?) it will find its home range relatively quickly and get back to its normal foraging/feeding....

I'll look and see if I cant find that discussion

Is there any science behind this or is it just theories?

thats what I was trying to find..... there was some mention of this in the past and I was trying to find those threads.  I think maybe some of the members involved in tracking snakes made some of the claims... I hope they speak up.

with Van's help he's given me some links that the original research about home ranges/ distance to relocate, etc.. I'll just paste them here and go back to read later when I have time.

https://www.harding.edu/biology/FACULTY … rp2000.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_o … 126a6e8f1c

http://pinnacle.allenpress.com/doi/abs/ … lCode=wild

http://www.jstor.org/pss/1565542

*FYI--- if anyone quotes something from these articles please say which one it came from.. thanks!

Jeffery R. Brown, Christine A. Bishop, Ronald J. Brooks (2009) Effectiveness of Short-Distance Translocation and its Effects on Western Rattlesnakes. Journal of Wildlife Management: April 2009, Vol. 73, No. 3, pp. 419-425.

Reinert, H. K. and R. R. Rupert, Jr. 1999. Impacts of translocation on behavior and survival of Timber Rattlesnakes, (Crotalus horridus). Journal of Herpetology 33:45-61.

Sealy, J. 1997. Short-distance translocations of timber rattlesnakes in a North Carolina state park - A successful conservation and management program. Sonoran Herpetologist. 10:94-99.

These both look like good things to look at regarding this topic.  When I have a chance to make it to the library I'll take a look at them.

Abstract of Reinert and Rupert: (which may be innacurate as I'm retyping it manually)

"ABSTRACT- The impact of translocation on timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) was assessed experimentally by moving 11 specimens distances of between 8km and 172 km away from their native populations and releasing them into a study area having a resident rattlesnake population.  All translocated snakes were equipped with radio transmitters, and their behavior, survival, and interaction with resident snakes were observed.  Eighteen resident snakes were also telemetrically monitored during the four-year study.  Six of the 11 (54.5%) translocated snakes are known to have died while only 2 of the 18 (11.1%) resident snakes experienced mortality during the period they were radiotracked.  Of the six translocated specimens that died, three experienced overwinter mortality despite their location of resident hibernacula, two were killed by predators, and one died from disease.  The mean daily survival rate of translocated snakes (0.9973) was significantly lower than that of resident snakes (0.9993).  Translocated snakes selected habitats similar to that of residents, foraged successfully, and maintained body mass.  However, translocated snakes exhibited atpical movement patterns consisting of extensive and long-distance traveling.  The six translocated male rattlesnakes averaged 15,017 m (SE = 2184.3) in total distance traveled from release until hibernation with daily movements of 123.8 m (SE = 19.40) and convex polygon activity range areas of 600.6 ha (SE = 253.0).  Comparatively, the total active season distance traveled by the seven resident male rattlesnakes averaged only 5575 m (SE = 936.5) with mean daily movements of 36.9 m (SE = 5.63) and convex polygon activity ranges of 59.9 ha (SE = 13.04).  Mean activity parameters 3 to 5 times larger than those of resident snakes were also typical for translocated female rattlesnakes.  Translocated snakes located active hibernacula apparently by following resident snakes;  however, their overwintering mortality was higher than that of residents.  Translocated snakes that successfully survived the first overwinter period continues to exhibit more extensive movements in their second active season than did residents.  However, there was evidence of the establishment of a more resident-like pattern of movement among these specimens during their second year.  Translocation of adult snakes is not recommended as a standard conservation practice because of its immediate and long-term negative impacts."

Abstract of Brown et al.:

"Short-distance translocation (SDT) is commonly used to mitigate snake–human interactions, yet little is known about its effectiveness or its effects on behavior and welfare of snakes. Between April 2004 and October 2005, we evaluated SDT as a conservation and management tool by investigating how 500-m SDT affected spatial ecology, body condition, and behavior of western rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) surgically implanted with radiotransmitters in a field study near Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada. Of 14 rattlesnakes subjected to SDT, 12 (85.7%) returned on ≥1 occasion (range 1–7 times) to the general area they were removed from. Rattlesnakes that underwent SDT showed an increase in total distance moved over an active season compared to non-translocated snakes, but there was no evidence to suggest SDT had an effect on activity range size. There was no evidence to suggest SDT affected body condition, behavior, or mortality rates. Short-distance translocation to high-quality undisturbed habitats was unsuccessful as a long-term solution to snake–human conflict because most translocated snakes returned to conflict areas within a short time (  = 19.9 ± 8.7 days). However, SDT may be an effective short-term tool to manage snake–human conflict in areas where human presence is seasonal or short-lived if careful attention is paid to species-specific biological needs, habitat quality at the release site, and the location of the release site in relation to conflict areas."

So it looks like the data supports what we have been saying... short distance translocations, the snakes tend to move back.  Long distance translocations (at least with timber rattlesnakes) the animals seem to have a higher mortality than resident snakes.

Now that we have some data, lets discuss... Please feel free to bring more data to the table.  This was just a quick search and I'm sure there is tons more information out there!