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IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 293

Timber Rattlesnake 
Population Extirpated

Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus)
are long-lived and slowly maturing
snakes. Populations throughout the dis-
tribution of the species in the eastern
United States have been negatively
impacted by habitat alteration, poaching,
and vehicular traffic. Over a three-year
period, FOSTER ET AL. (2006. Bulletin of
the Chicago Herpetological Society
41:147–148) surveyed habitats and
potential hibernacula at a site in Clark
County, Illinois where numerous recent,
credible reports of Timber Rattlesnakes
had occurred. Finding no rattlesnakes,
the authors concluded that the popula-
tion had been extirpated. Because snakes
encountered in the area in the past had
been killed despite laws protecting this
species in the state, education must be an
integral part of conservation strategies in
Illinois and throughout the species’
range.

Changes in an 
Italian Snake Fauna

Eight species of snakes have been
recorded from a protected area in central
Italy. FILIPPI AND LUISELLI (2006. The
Herpetological Journal 16:29–36) com-
pared recent survey data with those col-
lected 10 years previously. Although
more species (8 vs. 6) were found during
the recent survey and a slight rise in the
species diversity index was recorded, the
species dominance index increased dra-
matically. This was largely due to a rela-
tive increase in the most abundant
species (Coluber viridiflavus) and a

decline in the relative abundance of other
species. Two species (Elaphe longissima
and Vipera aspis) apparently were affected
negatively by clearing of brush at an
archaeological site. Documenting such
declines is particularly relevant in
Europe, where many protected areas are
set aside for archaeological or historical
rather than biological reasons.

Unsuccessful Reintroduction
Eighteen years after 29 Mugger
Crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) were
reintroduced into the Neyyar Wildlife
Sanctuary, Kerala, India. JAYSON ET AL.
(2006. The Herpetological Journal
16:69–76) indicated that the effort was a
failure. Although fishes provided ample
prey for smaller crocodiles, large mam-
malian prey was insufficient for larger
animals. Crocodile attacks on livestock
were reported within two years of rein-

troduction, and 35 attacks on humans
(two of which were fatal) have occurred.
Nine crocodiles were removed to reduce
conflicts, but the local population does
not support the conservation of croco-
diles under existing conditions.

Earless Lizards 
Disappearing in Kansas

Although once abundantly (albeit spot-
tily) distributed throughout the western
two-thirds of Kansas, Taggart (2006.
Kansas Journal of Herpetology 19:10)
noted that the Lesser Earless Lizard
(Holbrookia maculata) has all but disap-
peared in Kansas within the past 10
years. Causes are unknown.

C O N S E R V A T I O N  R E S E A R C H  R E P O R T S

CONSERVATION RESEARCH REPORTS

Efforts to reestablish a population of Mugger
Crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) into the Neyyar
Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India, failed.

R
U

C
H

IR
A

 S
O

M
A

W
EE

R
A

Populations of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus
horridus) throughout the eastern United
States have been negatively impacted by
habitat alteration, poaching, and vehicular
traffic.

B
A

R
N

EY
 O

LD
FI

EL
D

, W
W

W
.L

IZ
A

R
D

SA
N

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LA

N
D

SC
A

PE
S.

C
O

M

Lesser Earless Lizards (Holbrookia maculata),
such as this individual from Sumner County,
have all but disappeared in Kansas.

SU
ZA

N
N

E 
L.

 C
O

LL
IN

S,
 C

N
A

H

The European Asp (Vipera aspis) was one of two species negatively affected by clearing of brush
at an archaeological site in central Italy.

JO
H

N
 T

A
SH

JI
A

N