까치살모사(Gloydius intermedius)의 서식지 이용과 은신 행동

The habitat selection and behavioral information of wild animals are the main sources that can reveal the life cycle and ecological nature of species. Therefore, they are fundamental ecological data and considered important. For the species of Viperidae, the shelter is an essential part of their survival and life history because it allows snakes to protect themselves from predators and it can be used for hibernation, breeding ground, and ambush. This study evaluated habitats and microhabitats of six Central Asian pit vipers (Gloydius intermedius) using wireless tracking techniques at Cheon-ma Mountain County Park from July to October in 2012 and 2013. This study also identified major terrain features used as hiding places by examining the behaviors of the subjects. The results of this study showed that central Asian pit vipers preferred ridge (70.80%) for habitats and mainly used rocks (47.70%) and fallen leaves (31.24%) as preferred microhabitats. They were visually observed 82 times: six times of moving behaviors and 76 times of inactive behaviors. Inactive individuals showed complete sheltered behaviors (46.05%), semisheltered behaviors (39.47%), and unsheltered behaviors (14.47%) in the descending order of magnitude. Their most preferred shelter was the rock (69.23%). Overall, it was confirmed that the ridge area was the major habitat of central Asian pit vipers and a shelter. It is believed that it can be used for breeding as well as hibernation. Consequently, it is necessary to preserve and manage areas with rocks in the ridge area to protect the habitat of central Asian pit vipers, whose population is declining due to poaching.