LAUSR.org creates dashboard-style pages of related content for over 1.5 million academic articles. Sign Up to like articles & get recommendations!

Rattlesnake Nuisance Removals and Urban Expansion in Phoenix, Arizona

Photo from wikipedia

Abstract. Urbanization can have significant consequences on local wildlife. While some species can thrive in urban environments, others are often seen as nuisance animals and therefore are either killed by… Click to show full abstract

Abstract. Urbanization can have significant consequences on local wildlife. While some species can thrive in urban environments, others are often seen as nuisance animals and therefore are either killed by landowners or removed by professionals. Snakes, especially rattlesnakes, represent one such taxon. Here, we analyzed rattlesnake removal data from the city of Phoenix, Arizona, USA, to determine whether the removal data directly correlates with urban expansion. Between 2011 and 2014, over 500 rattlesnakes and over 300 non-rattlesnakes were removed by professionals, with significant removal clusters in the northern Phoenix metropolis. Land cover change analyses showed that all removal sites experienced dramatic changes in the past decade. There was a significant increase in urban land cover and significant decrease in shrub land cover, suggesting a negative impact of urbanization on local snakes.

Keywords: phoenix arizona; rattlesnake nuisance; urban expansion; phoenix; land cover

Journal Title: Western North American Naturalist
Year Published: 2017

Link to full text (if available)


Share on Social Media:                               Sign Up to like & get
recommendations!

Related content

More Information              News              Social Media              Video              Recommended



                Click one of the above tabs to view related content.