Shelter and microhabitat use by an invasive snake: Control implications

A major shortcoming in invasive species management is the lack of ecological information, including patterns of refuge selection and microhabitat use, which can be applied to better understand where to target control efforts. This is especially important for elusive species like the California kingsnake ( Lampropeltis californiae ), which is invading Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). To support management efforts, we tracked 15 radio-tagged individuals daily between July 2020 and June 2021 for 9–11 consecutive days each month. We recorded detection locations as shelters and defined revisits as instances where snakes were located within 6 m of previously used locations. To describe shelter-use regime and microhabitat selection, we analysed a set of biotic and abiotic characteristics in 267 selected plots (centred on each detection location), comparing them by sexes and between single - use and multiple-use plots. Additionally, we characterized 246 random plots to assess microhabitat selection. On average, individuals used 2.6 ± 1.0 shelters/month (mean ± SD; brumation: 1.6 ± 0.9 shelters/month; active season: 3.5 ± 1.1 shelters/month), stayed 4.1 ± 13.6 days per shelter (brumation: 9.6 ± 20.4 days; active season: 2.8 ± 4.1 days), and revisited 20.0 ± 11.7% of them after 50.1 ± 55.4 days. We found no differences in shelter-use regime between sexes, though plots used by males had significantly more rock (ca. > 30 cm diameter) cover and less stone (ca. < 30 cm diameter) cover than plots used by females. Dense shrubs were more dominant in multiple-use plots in comparison with single-use plots . Selected plots had higher rock, stone, and vegetation cover than random plots , where loose soil was more common. Our findings can guide management by scheduling revisits, focusing visual surveys and trapping in areas with more rocks, stones or dense vegetation. Overall, our study highlights the need for research on shelter use and microhabitat selection to improve management of secretive invasive snake species. • Managing invasive snakes is a challenging task • Shelter use regime and characterization provide useful and essential insights • California kingsnakes revisit shelters and show shelter microhabitat preferences • Focus on rocky and bushy areas enhances control efficiency for this species • Biological data is crucial in managing secretive and defying invasive species