Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Animal Homing pp 235–261Cite as

Reptiles

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Chapman & Hall Animal Behaviour Series ((CHABS))

Abstract

The approximately 6000 living species of reptiles inhabit a great variety of habitats, ranging from open seas to emerged lands. This ecological diversity is characteristic of all the main orders of this class. Chelonia, for instance, include turtles spending most of their life in open seas or coastal areas, others more or less linked to inland waters, and typical terrestrial tortoises. Many species of the two suborders of Squamata — Lacertilia (lizards and related forms) and Ophidia (snakes) — inhabit arid or semi-arid environments, but some include freshwater bodies in their habitat and others are entirely marine. On the contrary, Loricata (crocodiles, alligators and gavials) inhabit mostly swamps, lakes and rivers, and only one species is definitely linked to coastal areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adler, K. and Phillips, J.B. (1985) Orientation in a desert lizard (Uma notata): time-compensated compass movement and polarotaxis. J. Comp. Physiol., 156, 547–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Auffenberg, W. and Weaver, W.G. (1969) Gopherus berlandieri in southeastern Texas. Bull. Fia. St. Mus. Biol. Sci., 13, 141–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, R.R. (1978) The Evolutionary Ecology of Animal Migration, Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1012 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balazs, G.H. (1980) Synopsis of biological data on the green turtle in the hawaiian islands. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFC-7, 141 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbour, R.W., Harvey, M.J. and Hardin, J.W. (1969) Home range, movements, and activity of the eastern worm snake, Carphophis amoenus amoenus. Ecology, 50, 470–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bissinger, B.E. (1983) Homing behavior, sun-compass orientation, and thermoregulation in the lizard (Sceloporus jarrowi): the role of the parietal eye. PhD Thesis, The City University of New York, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, E.E. (1940) Life history and habits of the northern watersnake, Natrix s. sipedon. PhD Thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 119 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, W.S. and Parker, W.S. (1976) Movement ecology of Coluber constrictor near communal hibernacula. Copeia, 1976, 225–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burge, B.L. (1977) Daily and seasonal behavior and areas utilized by the desert tortoise Gopherus agassizi in Southern Nevada, in The Desert Tortoise Council, Edit. Proceedings of 1977 Symposium, Desert Tortoise Council, Las Vegas, pp. 59–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bustard, H.R. (1979) Population dynamics of sea turtles, in Turtles: perspectives and research (eds M. Harless and H. Morlock), John Wiley, New York, pp. 523–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bustard, H.R. and Singh, L.A.K. (1983) Movement of wild gharial, Gavialis gangeticus (Gmelin) in the river Mahanadi, Orissa (India). Br. J. Herpet., 6, 287–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byles, R. (1987) Development of a sea turtle satellite biotelemetry system. Proc. Argos Users Conf. Service Argos, Greenbelt, MD, pp. 199–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cagle, F.R. (1944) Home range, homing and migration in turtles. Misc. Pubis. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich., 61, 1–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calzolai, R. and Chelazzi, G. (1991) Habitat use in a central Italy population of Testudo hermanni Gmelin (Reptilia Testudinidae). Ethol. Ecol. Evol., 3, 153–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. (1952) Handbook of Turtles. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 695 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. (1967a) So Excellente a Fishe, Natural History Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. (1967b) Adaptive aspects of the scheduled travel of Chelonia, in Animal Orientation and Navigation, Proc. 27th A. Biol. Coll. (ed. R.M. Storm), Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, pp. 35–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. (1975) The Ascension Island green turtle colony. Copeia, 1975, 547–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. and Colemann, P.J. (1974) Seafloor spreading theory and the odyssey of the green turtle. Nature, 249, 128–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. and Giovannoli, L. (1957) The ecology and migrations of sea turtles, 2. Results of field work in Costa Rica, 1955. Am. Mus. Nov., 1835, 1–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. and Hirth, H.F. (1962) The ecology and migration of sea turtles, 5. Comparative features of isolated green turtle colonies. Am. Mus. Nov., 2091, 1–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, T.E. and Ehrenfeld, D.W. (1978) Intermediate-range homing in the Wood Turtle, Clemmys insculpta. Copeia, 1978, 117–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chelazzi, G. and Calzolai, R. (1986) Thermal benefits from familiarity with the environment in a reptile. Oecologia, 68, 557–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chelazzi, G. and Carlà, M. (1986) Mechanisms allowing home range stability in Testudo hermanni Gmelin (Reptilia Testudinidae): field study and simulation. Monitore Zoologico Italiano (Nuova Serie), 20, 349–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chelazzi, G. and Delfino, G. (1986) A field test on the use of olfaction in homing by Testudo hermanni (Reptilia Testudinidae). J. Herpetol., 20, 451–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chelazzi, G. and Francisci, F. (1979) Movement patterns and homing behaviour of Testudo hermanni Gmelin (Reptilia Testudinidae). Monitore Zoologico Italiano (Nuova Serie), 13, 105–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciofi, C. and Chelazzi, G. (1991) Radiotracking of Coluber viridiflavus using external transmitters. J. Herpetol., 25, 37–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeRosa, C.T. and Taylor, D.H. (1980) Homeward orientation mechanisms in three species of turtles (Trionyx spinifer, Chrysemys picta, and Terrapene Carolina). Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 7, 15–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dundee, H.A. and Miller, M.C. (1968) Aggregative behavior and habitat conditioning by the prairie ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus arnyi. Tulane Stud. Zool. Bot., 15, 41–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis-Quinn, B.A. and Simon, C.A. (1989) Homing behavior of the lizard Sceloporus jarrovi. J. Herpetol., 3, 146–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis-Quinn, B.A. and Simon, C.A. (1991) Lizard homing behavior: the role of the parietal eye during displacement and radiotracking, and time-compensated celestial orientation in the lizard Sceloporus jarrovi. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 28, 397–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emlen, S.T. (1969) Homing ability and orientation in the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta marginata. Behaviour, 33, 58–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ernst, C.H. (1968) Homing ability of the spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata (Schneider). Herpetologica, 24, 77–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ernst, C.H. (1970) Homing ability in the painted turtle Chrysemys picta (Schneider). Herpetologica, 26, 399–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ernst, C.H. and Barbour, R.W. (1972) Turtles of the United States, The University Press of Kentucky.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, K. (1961) Untersuchungen zur Sonnenkompassorientierung und Laufaktivität von Smaragdeidechsen (Lacerta viridis Laur.). Z. Tierpsychol., 18, 450–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitch, H.S. (1940) A field study of the growth and behavior of the fence lizard. Univ. California Pub. Zool., 44, 151–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitch, H.S. and Shirer, H.W. (1971) A radiotelemetric study of spatial relationships in some common snakes. Copeia, 1971, 118–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foà, A., Bearzi, M. and Baldaccini, N.E. (1990) A preliminary report on the size of the home range and on the orientational capabilities in the lacertid lizard Podarcis sicula. Ethol. Ecol. Evol., 2, 310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford, N.B. (1986) The role of pheromone trails in the sociobiology of snakes, in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Vol. 4 (eds D. Duvall, D. Müller-Schwarze and R.M. Silverstein), Plenum Press, New York, pp. 261–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraker, M.A. (1970) Home range and homing in the watersnake, Natrix sipedon sipedon. Copeia, 1970, 665–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons, J.W. (1970) Terrestrial activity and the population dynamics of aquatic turtles. Am. Midi. Nat., 83, 404–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorzula, S.J. (1978) An ecological study of Caiman crocodilus crocodiles inhabiting savanna lagoons in the Venezuelan Guayana. Oecologia, 35, 21–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould, E. (1957) Orientation in box turtles, Terrapene c. Carolina (Linnaeus). Biol. Bull. Mar. Biol. Lab., 112, 336–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould, E. (1959) Studies on orientation of turtles. Copeia, 1959, 174–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gourley, E.V. (1974) Orientation of the gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus. Anim. Behav., 22, 158–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, J.B., Rubinoff, I. and Hecht, M.K. (1971) Temperature physiology of the sea snake, Pelamis platurus: and index of its colonization potential in the Atlantic Ocean. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., U.S.A., 68, 1360–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grassman, M.A. (1984) The chemosensory behavior of juvenile sea turtles: implication for chemical imprinting. PhD Dissertation, Texas A & M University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grassman, M.A., Owens, D.W., McVey, J.P. and Marquez M.R. (1984) Olfactory-based orientation in artificially imprinted sea turtles. Science, 224, 83.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Graves, B.M., Duvall, D., King, M.B., Linsted, S.L. and Gern, W.A. (1986) Initial den location by neonatal prairie rattlesnakes: functions, causes, and natural history in chemical ecology, in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Vol. 4 (eds D. Duvall, D. Müller-Schwarze and R.M. Silverstein), Plenum Press, New York, pp. 285–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, P.T., Macartney, J.M. and Larsen, K.W. (1987) Spatial patterns and movements, in Snakes: ecology and evolutionary biology (eds R.A. Seigel, J.T. Collins and S.S. Novak), Macmillan, New York, pp. 366–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guyer, C. (1978) Comparative ecology of the short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma douglassi) and the sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) in southeastern Idaho. MS Thesis, Idaho State University, 56 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hays, G. (1991) The potential for assessing nesting beach fidelity and clutch frequency for sea turtles by satellite tracking. 4th European Conference on Wildlife Telemetry, Aberdeen, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirth, H.F. (1966) The ability of two species of snakes to return to a hibernaculum after displacement. Southwest. Nat., 11, 49–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirth, H.F. and Carr, A. (1970) The green turtle in the Gulf of Aden and Seycelles Islands. Verhand. Konin. Nederl. Acad. Weten. Natur., 58, 1–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, G.R. (1974) The sea turtles of South-East Africa. 2. The biology of the Tongaland loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta L. with comments on the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea L. and the green turtle Chelonla mydas L. in the study region. Invest. Rep. Ocean. Res. Inst., Durban, South Africa, 36, 1–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imler, R.H. (1945) Bullsnakes and their control on a Nebraska wildlife refuge. J. Wildl. Mngmt., 9, 265–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, L.C. and Kanwisher, J.W. (1978) Underwater acoustic bio telemetry: procedures for obtaining information on the behavior and physiology of free-swimming aquatic animals in their natural environments, in The Behavior of Fish and Other Aquatic Animals (ed. D.I. Mostofsky), Academic Press, New York, pp. 341–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishihara, S. (1969) Homing behavior of the lizard, Tachydromus tachydromoides (Schlegel). Bull. Kyoto Univ. Educ. Ser. B, 36, 11–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klauber, L.M. (1972) Rattlesnakes, University of California Press, Berkeley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koch, A.L., Carr, A. and Ehrenfeld, D.W. (1969) The problem of open sea migration: the migration of the green turtle to Ascension Island. J. Theor. Biol., 22, 163.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krekorian, C.O. (1977) Homing in the desert iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Herpetologica, 33, 123–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, K.W. (1987) Movements and behavior of migratory garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis. Can. J. Zool., 65, 2241–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landreth, H.F. (1973) Orientation behavior of the rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox. Copeia, 1973, 26–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, M.A. (1985) Preliminary investigations into the roles of visual and pheromonal stimuli on aspects of the behaviour of the western plains garter snake, Thamnophis radix haydeni. MSc Thesis, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebboroni, M. and Chelazzi, G. (1991) Activity patterns of Emys orbicularis L. (Chelonia Emydidae) in central Italy. Ethol. Ecol. Evol., 3, 257–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Legier, W.K. (1979) Telemetry, in Turtles: perspectives and research (eds M. Harless and H. Morlock), John Wiley, New York, pp. 61–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, K.Z. (1937) The companion in the bird’s world. Auk, 54, 245–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loveridge, J.P. and Blake, D.K. (1987) Crocodile immobilization and anaesthesia, in Wildlife Management: crocodiles and alligators (eds G.J.W. Webb et al.), Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton, NSW, pp. 259–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manton, M.L. (1979) Olfaction and behavior, in Turtles: perspectives and research (eds M. Harless and H. Morlock), John Wiley, New York, pp. 289–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathis, A. and Moore, F.R. (1988) Geomagnetism and the homeward orientation of the box turtle, Terrapene Carolina. Ethology, 78, 265–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayhew, W.W. (1963) Biology of the granite spiny lizard, Sceloporus orcutti. Am. Midi. Nat., 69, 310–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Modha, M.L. (1967) The ecology of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti) on Central Island, Lake Rudolf. E. Afr. Wildl. J., 5, 74–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Modha, M.L. (1968) Crocodile research project, Central Island, Lake Rudolf: 1967 breeding season. E. Afr. Wildl. J., 6, 148–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortimer, J.A. and Portier, K.M. (1989) Reproductive homing and internesting behavior of the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) at Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean. Copeia, 1989, 962–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, P.A. (1981) Celestial compass orientation in juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Copeia, 1981, 638–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newcomer, T.R., Taylor, D.H. and Guttman, S.I. (1974) Celestial orientation in two species of water snakes (Natrix sipedon and Regina septemvittata). Herpetologica, 2, 194–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noble, G.K. (1934) Experimenting with the courtship of lizards. Nat. Hist., 34, 5–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouboter, P.E. and Nanhoe, L.M. (1988) Habitat selection and migration of Caiman crocodilus crocodilus in a swamp and swamp-forest habitat in northern Suriname. J. Herpetol., 22, 283–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Owens, D., Comuzzie, D.C. and Grassman, M. (1986) Chemoreception in the homing and orientation behavior of amphibians and reptiles, with special reference to sea turtles, in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Vol. 4. Ecology, Evolution, and Comparative Biology (eds D. Duvall, D. Muller-Schwarze and R.M. Silverstein), Plenum Press, New York, pp. 341–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt, D.R. (1969) Natural history of the hognose snakes Heterodon platyrhinos and Heterodon nasicus. Univ. Kans. Publ. Mus. Nat. Hist., 18, 235–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plummer, M.V. and Shirer, H.W. (1975) Movement patterns in a river population of the softshell turtle Trionyx muticus. Occ. Pap. Mus. Nat. Hist. Univ. Kans., 43, 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, P.C.H. (1976) Post-nesting movements of marine turtles (Chelonididae and Dermochelidae) tagged in the Guyanas. Copeia, 1976, 749–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, P. (1979) Encyclopedia of Turtles., T.F.H. Publications, Neptune, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rand, A.S. (1967) Ecology and social organization in the iguanid lizard Anolis lineatopus. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 122, 1–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinert, H.K. and Kodrich, W.R. (1982) Movements and habitat utilization by the Massasauga, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus. J. Herpetol., 16, 162–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodda, G.H. (1984a) Homeward paths of displaced juvenile alligators as determined by radiotelemetry. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 14, 241–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodda, G.H. (1984b) The orientation and navigation of juvenile alligators: evidence of magnetic sensitivity. J. Comp. Physiol., 154, 649–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodda, G.H. (1985) Navigation in juvenile alligators. Z. Tierpsychol., 68, 65–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodhouse P., Barling, R.W.A., Clark, W.I.C., et al. (1975) The feeding and ranging behaviour of the Galapagos giant tortoises (Geochelone elephantopus). The Cambridge and London University Galapagos Expeditions, 1972 and 1973. J. Zool., Lond., 176, 297–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shealy, R.M. (1976) The natural history of the Alabama map turtle, Graptemys pulchra Baur, in Alabama. Bull. Fla. State Mus., Biol. Sci., 21, 47–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lip, D.J. and Shine, R. (1988) Habitat use, movements, and activity patterns of free-ranging diamond pythons, Morelia spilota spilota (Serpentes: Boidae): a rediotelemetric study. Aust. Wildl. Res., 15, 515–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoecker, P.D. (1967) Movements and seasonal activity cycles of the lizard Uta stansburiana stejnegeri. Am. Midi. Nat., 77, 484–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staton, M. A. and Dixon, J.R. (1975) Studies on the dry season biology of Caiman crocodilus from Venezuelan Llanos. Mem. Soc. Cienc. Nat., La Salle, 101, 237–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoneburner, D.C. (1982) Sea turtle (Caretta caretta) migration and movements in the South Atlantic Ocean. NASA SP-457, Natl. Aeronaut. Space Admin. Washington, DC, 74 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strijbosch, H., Rooy, P.Th.J.C. v. and Voesenek, L.A.C.J. (1983) Homing behaviour of Lacerta agilis and Lacerta vivipara (Sauria, Lacertidae). Amphibia-Reptilia, 4, 43–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swingland, I.R. and Lessels, C.M. (1979) The natural regulation of giant tortoise populations on Aldabra Atoll: movement polymorphism, reproductive success and mortality. J. Anim. Ecol., 2, 639–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Timko, R.E. and Kolz, A.L. (1982) Satellite sea turtles tracking. Mar. Fish. Rev., 44, 19–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinkle, D.W. (1967) The life and demography of the side-blotched lizard, Uta stansburiana. Misc. Rubi. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 132, 1–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, G.J.W., Buckworth, R. and Manolis, S.C. (1983a) Crocodilus johnstoni in the McKinlay River area Northern Territory Australia. 4. A demonstration of homing. Aust. Wildl. Res., 10, 403–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, G.J.W., Manolis, S.C. and Buckworth, R. (1983b) Crocodilus johnstoni in the McKinlay River area Northern Territory Australia. 2. Dry season habitat selection and an estimate of the total population size. Aust. Wildl. Res., 10, 373–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weintraub, J. (1970) Homing in the lizard Sceloporus orcutti. Anim. Behav., 18, 132–7.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. G. Chelazzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze del Comportamento Animale e dell ’Uomo, Università degli Studi di Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    F. Papi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chelazzi, G. (1992). Reptiles. In: Papi, F. (eds) Animal Homing. Chapman & Hall Animal Behaviour Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1588-9_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1588-9_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4691-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-1588-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation