| The behavioral rhythm of animals is a very complex biological phenomenon,and a comprehensive adaptation of animals' maximum survival benefits under various conditions.Mangshan pit viper(Protobothrops mangshanensis)is a critically endangered snake species endemic to China,which is rare in the wild and in great need of protection.At present,there is no research on the behavior of Mangshan pit viper,so the research on the behavior rhythm of this snakes in the field is of great value to the behavioral ecology of the species.By mastering the behavior of this species in the field and understanding the threatened factors,more effective protective measures can be put forward.From May to October 2018,three wild Mangshan pit vipers were followed and observed for 149 days by instantaneous scanning sampling method and whole event observation method respectively to obtain their behavior data;meanwhile,the natural hatching process of a nest of snake eggs of Mangshan pit viper in the study area was observed and recorded in detail.The results are as follows:1.Daily behavioral rhythmDuring the observation period,2,764 behavioral scans were performed,4,125 behavioral data and 273 movements were recorded.The main behaviors of Mangshan pit viper are:rest,sun exposure,crawling,searching and other behaviors.The daily behavior of Mangshan pit viper showed obvious rhythm.The daily behavior rhythm of Mangshan pit viper has three peak periods:5:00-7:00,9:00-11:00 and 18:00-20:00.Among them,5:00-7:00 and 18:00-20:00 are related to the activity cycle of their prey,and 9:00-11:00 are the time of sun exposure.2.Time allocation of daily activitiesThe time allocation ratio of various behaviors is:rest>sun exposure>others>crawling>searching.There was a significant difference between the behavior of Mangshan pit viper in summer and autumn.And,there was a significant difference between the behavior of the snakes on ground dwelling and land dwelling.Among them,resting behavior and sun exposure behavior were the most important behaviors of snakes.The main reason was that the snakes hardly move during the molting period,so the resting proportion was the largest.In addition,light not only helps to improve the body temperature,but also has the functions of increasing mineral absorption,sterilization and strengthening the physique.Therefore,in the molting period,Mangshan pit viper spent a lot of time in the sun exposure.3.Influencing factorsThe daily behavior rhythm and time distribution of Mangshan pit viper sho wed a certain regularity,and they all had a certain periodicity,and were mainly affected by temperature,rainfall and biology.There was a significant correlation between the activity rhythm of mice in biological factors and that of snakes,and the activity peak of snakes overlap the activity peak of mice;the temperature in non biological factors has a significant correlation with various behaviors of Mangshan pit viper,and the rainfall have a significant correlation with the activity of Mangshan pit viper.It was found that when the temperature was lower than 16 ? or higher than 31? the snakes basically stopped moving,and 22?26? was the optimal temperature for the snakes.The activity rhythm of Mangshan pit viper was significantly different before and after the rainfall.The exploration and other behaviors of Mangshan pit viper increased significantly one hour after the rainfall compared with one hour before the rainfall.This was because the snakes needed to absorb water drops and find a dry resting place.4.Snake eggs hatchThe egg diameter was(30.13?34.08)mm ×(44.78?58.91)mm,the average weight is 30.83g.Under natural conditions,the hatching rate of snake eggs was 29.17%and the survival rate of snake larvae was 71.43%..The damage of natural enemies,the low hatching rate and the difficulty of young snakes survival were the important reasons for the extinction of Mangshan pit.Threat factors and Protection suggestionThe activities range of Mangshan pit viper activities was narrow,the phenomenon of stealing and catching was serious,the research of artificial breeding was weak,the protection system was not perfect,and the human activities disturb the snake seriously.Increasing penalties for poaching;It is forbidden to destroy fallen trees in the forest;Scientific treatment of snake eggs;Building biological pathways.We suggest that the relevant departments should increase the punishment of poaching and severely punish the illegal trade,develop tourism reasonably,deal with snake eggs scientifically,build breeding bases,and build biological channels. |
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