Giant Gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas) Prey Preference (2014)

This is an examination of the diet of a threatened snake, giant gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas). Prey preference, prey selection and prey availability (in the laboratory and the field) were measured to understand prey dynamics for better conservation of this snake. In the laboratory, olfactory trials were performed on neonate snakes and tongue-flicks, lounges and attacks were counted and calculated into 'tongue-flick attack scores', a measure of prey preference. Prey-choice trials were used to measure prey selection in the laboratory. In the field, we measured prey choice and prey availability to gain an understanding of prey choice in nature. These data support the following publication: Ersan, J.S., Halstead, B.J., Wildy, E.L., Casazza, M.L. and Wylie, G.D., 2020. Intrinsic Prey Preference and Selection of the Giant Gartersnake: A Threatened Predator in a Nonnative Prey-Dominated Community. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, 11(1), pp.164-173. https://doi.org/10.3996/062019-JFWM-051.