Habitat Use by a Boid Snake, Epicrates monensis, and Its Anoline Prey, Anolis cristatellus

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Abstract
We quantified the habitat use of the endangered Virgin Islands boa (Epicrates monensis) and its prey (Anolis cristatellus) on Cayo Diablo, Puerto Rico [West Indies]. Although anoles occurred throughout the island, boas selectively foraged within groves of Coccoloba uvifera. Boas and anoles did not differ significantly in their plant species use within these groves. Adult male and adult female (> 400 mm SVL) boas did not significantly for six measures of microhabitat use, but when juvenile snakes (.ltoreq. 400 mm SVL) were included in the analysis, there was a significant correlation between boa SVL and foraging height. Adult male anoles occupied sleeping perches that were higher, of larger diameter, and father out on branches than those of adult female and juvenile anoles. Principal components analysis revealed that anoles sleep on short, thin branches relative to those favored by foraging boas; adult male anoles occupy sleeping sites most similar in structure to those used by boas. We suggest that foraging by boad does affect habitat use of anoles, and that adult male anoles are constrained to sites similar to those used by boas by the need to hold territories or for high-quality thermal environments. Closed canopy woodland seems to be an important habit requirement for the endangered E. monensis.

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