Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) Predation on a
Southeastern Pocket Gopher (Geomys pinetis)
J.T. Pynne, Steven B. Castleberry, L. Mike Conner, Elizabeth I. Parsons, Robert A. Gitzen, James D. Austin, Sarah I. Duncan, and Robert A. McCleery
Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 18, Issue 3 (2019): N34–N36
Full-text pdf (Accessible only to subscribers.To subscribe click here.)
2019 Southeastern Naturalist Notes Vol. 18, No. 3
N34
J.T. Pynne, et al.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) Predation on a
Southeastern Pocket Gopher (Geomys pinetis)
J.T. Pynne1,2,*, Steven B. Castleberry1, L. Mike Conner2, Elizabeth I. Parsons3,
Robert A. Gitzen3, James D. Austin4, Sarah I. Duncan4, and Robert A. McCleery4
Abstract - Numerous vertebrate species including Pituophis spp. (pine snakes) and birds of prey have
been shown to consume Geomys pinetis (Southeastern Pocket Gopher), but its full spectrum of predators
remains undocumented. As a part of a larger project involving radiotracking Southeastern Pocket
Gophers in southwestern Georgia, a female Pocket Gopher was consumed by a Crotalus horridus
(Timber Rattlesnake) while making an aboveground movement. Timber Rattlesnakes are a previously
undocumented predator for Southeastern Pocket Gophers. Our observation further demonstrates predation
risks associated with aboveground movement.
Introduction. Geomys pinetis Rafinesque (Southeastern Pocket Gopher) occurs in the
Coastal Plain of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida largely co-occurring with the current and
former range of the Pinus palustris Mill. (Longleaf Pine) ecosystem (Golley 1962, Pembleton
and Williams 1978), but also occurs in scrub, right-of-ways, and other open or grassy
habitats with mostly loamy sand soils (Warren et al. 2017). Timber Rattlesnakes are associated
with these types of habitat as well (Ernst and Ernst 2003, Waldron et al. 2006). Pocket
Gophers are almost exclusively fossorial, except for occasional aboveground dispersal
movements (Pembleton and Williams 1978) and share their habitat with many potential
predators, including raptors, snakes, and mesocarnivores. Snakes in the genus Pituophis
(pine snakes) are considered primary predators of Southeastern Pocket Gophers because
these snakes can burrow into Pocket Gopher tunnels (Miller et al. 2012, Rudolph et al.
2002). Herein, we describe the first reported occurrence of Southeastern Pocket Gopher
predation by a venomous snake.
Observations. As a part of a larger study, we translocated Southeastern Pocket Gophers
and tracked their movements using radio telemetry in mature Longleaf Pine on The Jones
Center at Ichauway in Baker County, GA (University of Georgia Animal Care and Use
protocol number A2017 11-003-Y1-A3). On 8 July 2018, a female Pocket Gopher was released
into a starter hole 1 m in diameter and 0.25 m deep. The hole was provisioned with
turnips, potatoes, and carrots and was surrounded by a 5-m2 silt-fence enclosure to reduce
aboveground movements. After 3 days, the gopher dug under the fencing and made an
aboveground movement (168 m) after relocation, where she established a burrow and began
forming new mounds. During the next tracking event on 19 July 2018, there was an open
hole in the ground near her recent mounds, and the receiver registered loudest when pointed
at a nearby Crotalus horridus L. (Timber Rattlesnake). During the next 16 days, the snake
made infrequent, short movements (less than 100 m) and then defecated th e transmitter.
Pocket Gophers make infrequent aboveground movements (Warren et al. 2017), and
may have fewer defenses against aboveground predators. In contrast, semi-fossorial rodents
like those in the genera Spermophilus (ground squirrels) and Otospermophilus (rock
1D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.
2The Jones Center at Ichauway, Newton, GA 39870. 3School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn
University, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL 36849. 4University of Florida, 110 Newins-Ziegler
Hall, Box 110430, Gainesville, FL 32611. *Corresponding author - jtp19715@uga.edu.
Manuscript Editor: Cathryn Greenberg
Notes of the Southeastern Naturalist, Issue 18/3, 2019
N35
2019 Southeastern Naturalist Notes Vol. 18, No. 3
J.T. Pynne, et al.
squirrels), which forage exclusively aboveground, have well-developed anti-predator
behaviors (Clucas et al. 2008, Owings and Cross 1977, Sharpe and van Horne 1998, Sherman
1977). It is unlikely Southeastern Pocket Gophers have evolved specific aboveground,
anti-predator defenses other than a subterranean existence. However, Southeastern Pocket
Gophers are described as fiercely aggressive (Baker et al. 2003), which may allow them
to combat aboveground predators. Southeastern Pocket Gophers occur in sympatry with
Timber Rattlesnakes and Crotalus adamanteus Palisot de Beauvois (Eastern Diamondback
Rattlesnake). While there is no evidence theses snake species use tunnels dug by pocket
gophers, they are known to use stump holes, tree tip-ups, burrows of Dasypus novemcinctus
L. (Nine-Banded Armadillo), and other refugia (Waldron et al. 2006). Another species,
Geomys breviceps Baird (Baird’s Pocket Gopher), demonstrates belowground defenses by
backfilling their burrows, likely as an attempt to block access by Pituophis ruthveni Stull
(Louisiana Black Pine Snake) (Rudolph et al. 2002). Whether Southeastern Pocket Gophers
have a similar defensive behavior is unknown. Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus Barbour
(Florida Pine Snake), which is sympatric with the Southeastern Pocket Gopher across much
of its range, frequently uses Pocket Gopher burrows, and is assumed to be a primary predator
(Miller et al. 2012, Rudolph et al. 2002). Geomys bursarius (Plains Pocket Gopher) is
reported as a prey item for Timber Rattlesnakes, and Crotalus viridis Rafinesque (Prairie
Rattlesnake) and Lampropeltis calligaster Harlan (Prairie Kingsnake) are known to prey on
other species of Pocket Gophers (Ernst and Ernst 2003, Connior et al. 2006).
Translocation in general may increase risks of predation (Van Vuren et al. 1997).
Our observation demonstrates the risks that Pocket Gophers are exposed to when they
make aboveground movements. Pocket Gophers may be susceptible while translocating
because they make more aboveground dispersals due to their displacement (J.T. Pynne,
pers. observ.). In future translocation efforts, care should be taken to reduce aboveground
movement. Softer release measures such as establishing a starter burrow system or placing
a wooden board over the release hole may contribute to survival and release-site fidelity
(Hansler et al. 2017).
Acknowledgments. We thank Lora Smith with early draft edits and The Jones Center at Ichauway
herpetology lab for assistance with rattlesnake tracking. The Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Alabama Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources provided funding for this project. Additional support came from
D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, The Jones Center at
Ichauway, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, and University of Florida.
Literature Cited
Baker, R.J., R.D. Bradley, and L.R. McAliley Jr. 2003. Pocket gophers. Pp. 276–287, In G.A. Feldhamer,
B.C. Thompson, and J.A. Chapman (Eds.). Wild mammals of North America. Second Edition.
Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. 1216 pp.
Clucas, B., D.H. Owings, and M. P. Rowe. 2008. Donning your enemy’s cloak: Ground Squirrels
exploit rattlesnake scent to reduce predation risk. Proceedings: Biological Sciences 275:847–852.
Connior, M.B., I. Guenther, T.S. Risch. 2006. Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster (Prairie Kingsnake)
diet. Herpetological Review 40:98.
Ernst, C. H. and E. M. Ernst. 2003 Snakes of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Books,
Washington, DC. 680 pp.
Golley, F. 1962. Mammals of Georgia: A Study of their Distribution and Functional Role in the Ecosystem.
University of Georgia Press, Athens, GA. 218 pp.
Hansler, T.P., S.E. Henke, H.L. Perotto-Baldivieso, J.A. Baskin, and C. Hilton. 2017. Short-distance
translocation as a management option for nuisance Maritime Pocket Gophers. Southeastern Naturalist
16:603–613.
2019 Southeastern Naturalist Notes Vol. 18, No. 3
N36
J.T. Pynne, et al.
Miller, G.J., L.L. Smith, S.A. Johnson, and R. Franz. 2012. Home-range size and habitat selection in
the Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus). Copeia 2012:706–713.
Owings, D. H., and R. G. Cross. 1977. Snake mobbing by California Ground Squirrels: Adaptive
variation and ontogeny. Behaviour 62:50–69.
Pembleton, E.F., and S.L. Williams. 1978. Geomys pinetis. Mammalian Species 86:1–3.
Rudolph, D.C., S.J. Burgdorf, R.N. Conner, C.S. Collins, D. Saenz, R.R. Schaefer, T. Trees, C.M.
Duran, M. Ealy, and J.G. Himes. 2002. Prey handling and diet of Louisiana Pine Snakes (Pituophis
ruthveni) and Black Pine Snakes (P. melanoleucus lodingi), with comparisons to other selected
colubrid snakes. Herpetological Natural History 9:57–62.
Sharpe, P.B., and B. Van Horne. 1998. Influence of habitat on behavior of Townsend’s Ground Squirrels
(Spermophilus townsendii). Journal of Mammalogy 79:906–918.
Sherman, P.W. 1977. Nepotism and the evolution of alarm calls. Science 197:1246–1253.
Van Vuren, D., A.J. Kuenzi, I. Loredo, and M.L. Morrison. 1997. Translocation as a nonlethal alternative
for managing California Ground Squirrels. Journal of Wildlife Management 61:351–359.
Waldron, J.L., J.D. Lanham, and S.H. Bennett. 2006. Using behaviorally based seasons to investigate
Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) movement patterns and habitat selection. Herpetologica
62:389–398.
Warren, A.E., L.M. Conner, S.B. Castleberry, and D. Markewitz. 2017. Home range, survival, and
activity patterns of the Southeastern Pocket Gopher: Implications for translocation. Journal of
Fish and Wildlife Management 8:544–557.