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Snake Hibernaculum |
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Snakes play very important roles in many natural communities as predator and prey. Smaller snakes provide a valuable food source for small mammal and birds. They also consume large quantities of insects and small vertebrates. Medium sized snakes are fed on heavily by birds of prey, especially by hawks. Many snake populations have decline in Wisconsin due to habitat loss and human persecutions. Even today, people who do not understand or appreciate the value of snakes continue to needlessly kill them. Of the 21 species and subspecies, 10 are listed by the Bureau of Endangered Resources as endangered, threatened or of special concern. |
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| In 2004, the Vernon County Land and Water Conservation Department worked with contractor Roger Widner and a private landowner to install two snake hibernaculums. The snake hibernaculums were constructed to provide a place for the Eastern Milk Snake, the Western Fox Snake and the Common Garter Snake over-winter. |
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The first hibernaculum was constructed following a design Robert Hay, Biologist with the Department of Natural Resources had provided. This designed called for a hole to be excavated down to two feet of saturated soils, and a width of approximately 36 inches, our pit was dug to a depth of ten feet. |
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Next, clean large rock (6 to 12 inches) was placed on the bottom of the pit and ran up a gradual slope to about one foot above the ground level. |
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Running the rock above the ground level well provide an entrance for the snakes. Biologist have determined that these snakes over winter with almost their entire body below water. |
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The design for the second hibernaculum incorporated a snake hibernaculum with a rock riprap project. As far as we know, it’s the first time anywhere that habitat for snakes has been incorporated with a conservation project such as rock riprap. |
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By excavating further into the bank and below the water line it is our goal to duplicate the same results as Robert Hay did with his design, but with less costs. |
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| The L&WCD will be monitoring the temperature of the water and air in both hibernaculums this winter. We hope to show that the temperature in both hibernaculums is equivalent. If we are successful in doing so, we plan on sharing our study with other conservation departments in hopes that they too will provide additional habitat for snakes when they are doing their streambank stabilization projects. |
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| The entire project, which also includes rock riprap with trout habitat, is being funded through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Janesville Blackhawk Trout Unlimited Chapter, Vernon County Conservation Alliance, and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. |
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