Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Fall 2014

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Resource Management

Committee Chair

Robert Hickey

Second Committee Member

Daniel Beck

Third Committee Member

John Rohrer

Abstract

Population structure among a wide-ranging ectothermic species is a fundamental aspect of ecology. I assessed the size structure and growth rate of two different populations of Northern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) in the Methow Valley, Washington during the summer of 2009 to determine the vigor of populations exposed to extreme winter conditions. Populations in the Methow Valley were comparable to other populations exposed to shorter active seasons. One population was in stable condition, and the other may have the potential to grow. Though the number of rattlesnakes was much smaller in the WC den compared to the GR den, both populations appeared to follow the same life history trends. Both populations reached sexual maturity relatively late in life and females underwent a triennial reproductive cycle. Results from this study provide more information toward the life history characteristics of this species within its known range.

Comments

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