Behavioral and Sociochemical Susceptibility of Meadow Voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) to Snake Predators

Abstract

Predation by 2 snake species, Coluber constrictor and Elaphe obsoleta, on meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus) was examined relative to the sex, weight and reproductive status of the prey. Groups of 4-16 free-ranging voles were monitored using radiotelemetry in a 0.37 ha (1 acre) field in Virginia [USA], and snake predation on these voles was recorded. The snake predators were located using the transmitter signal from the vole prey. Data on the species and size of the snake and on the number and size of the voles eaten were recorded upon capturing the snake. No preference for adult voles of either sex occurred. There was nonrandom selection for lactating females and their litters and for males of large body weight. The snakes may have exploited the behavioral attributes or the sociochemical signals of the voles, or both, in their search for prey.