Studies on the poisonous snake "Habu", Trimeresurus flavoviridis, III. : Nocturnal activity of the "Habu" on Amami Oshima Island

Abstract

1) In order to determine quantitatively the activity of the "Habu" (Trimeresurus flavoviridis), the appearing number of the snakes was observed hourly in the snake pit at Naze Health Center in which 30 snakes were released. In the observations made during the period from 19th to 24th, April 1964, the snakes hid themselves under the dome nests in the daytime and active movement was seen at night from sunset to sunrise with one prominence of activity curve at around 1 a.m. The activity was correlated to the change of the temperature and humidity besides the intensity of illumination. The occurrence of the snake bite was not parallel with this periodicity of the snakes' activity, and the movement of man was considered to be more important factor at the snake bite. 2) The capture rates of the trap boxes were tested in the snake pit. The comparison was made among difference of types of boxes and between presence or absence of a live rat in a trap. The capture rates were different among the types but indifferent to the presence of the rats. The snakes are not sensitive to presence of rats as an attractant.