Options
A mark-recapture study of a dog-faced water snake Cerberus schneiderii (Colubridae: Homalopsidae) population in Sungei Buloh wetland reserve, Singapore
Citation
Chim, C. K., & Diong, C. H. (2013). A mark-recapture study of a dog-faced water snake Cerberus schneiderii (Colubridae: Homalopsidae) population in Sungei Buloh wetland reserve, Singapore. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 61(2), 811-825. https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/app/uploads/2017/06/61rbz811-825.pdf
Author
Chim, Chee Kong
•
Diong, Cheong Hoong
Abstract
Ecological traits of a relatively sheltered population of the dog-faced water snake, Cerberus schneiderii, were determined or estimated using mark-recapture data. Monthly surveys were conducted at the man-made brackish ponds at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore throughout the year 2006. Estimates of population density (102 snakes ha–1), snake biomass (4.1 kg ha–1) and relative abundance (5.4 snakes man-hour–1) provided evidence of a large population. Sex ratio was almost 1:1. Snakes from a wide range (145–720 mm SVL) of body size were present. Even though neonates were rarely encountered, 88.7% of adult females have reached the size of sexual maturity (SVL = 336 mm SVL). There was no seasonal variation in the population’s size structure, suggesting that recruitment occurred throughout the year. Most of the snakes were sedentary and more than 90% of them remained in the same pond that they were captured for the first time. During low tides, snakes had a tendency of congregating at the relatively deep waters close to the sluice gates and in the network of tidal streams and pools in the man-made ponds. The population exhibited sexual dimorphism, in terms of males having relatively longer tails and females possessing relatively wider heads.
Date Issued
2013
Publisher
National University of Singapore
Journal
The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology