Snakes on Sado Island coexist through differentiation of activity time, habitat and diet

Sado Island, Japan, is inhabited by seven species of snakes, the largest number in any isolated island in Japan, except for the subtropical Ryukyu Archipelago. Researchers from the University of Tsukuba and Niigata University have conducted a five-year field study to investigate the ecology of each snake species. Their results showed that differences in feeding habits, as well as differences in activity times and locations, are critical factors in the coexistence of multiple snake species.