Subterranean predation on pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus)

Abstract

Examined subterranean predation rates in the hibernacula and nesting burrows of pine snakes in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Snakes were killed by red fox Vulpes fulva, striped skunk Mephitis mephitis and short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda. In 201 snake nests, 42 were dug up by foxes, seven were dug up by skunks, and in one a scarlet snake Cemophora coccinea was eating an egg. -from Authors