Rachel Maranto
Habitat Associations of Kirtland’s Snakes (Clonophis kirtlandii) in the Muscatatuck Bottoms, IN
BSES Senior Research Project 2008

Abstract

Kirtland’s snake (Clonophis kirtlandii) is listed as state-endangered in Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky, and state-threatened in Illinois and Ohio. Despite these critical designations, very little research has been conducted to aid the snake’s recovery (Minton 2001, Anton et al. 2003). In the spring of 2007, the Nature Conservancy (TNC) acquired the Muscatatuck Bottoms, a 1500 acre property located in south-central Indiana. The organization wishes to manage the property in a way that will promote a sustainable population of Kirtlands. This study seeks to quantify the density and distribution of Kirtland’s snakes on the Muscatatuck Bottoms.