Geographic variation in the diet composition of a secretive mediterranean colubrid snake: Coronella girondica from Spain and Italy

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the diet of the small-sized colubrid snake, Coronella girondica, from Spain and Italy was carried out. More than 95% of the prey consumed by Spanish C. girondica had diurnal behaviours, and all the prey were terrestrial dwelling or ‘rupicolous’ species, with no arboreal item being eaten. The same was true also for the Italian specimens. Lizards (mainly lacertids) accounted for the main bulk of the prey spectrums in both the Spanish and Italian samples. However, Italian specimens preyed frequently upon ground arthropods (mainly chilopods), that were not consumed by Spanish specimens. Mean prey size was similar in both the geographic areas. Some ecological implications of the observed patterns are highlighted. © 2001 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.