What is the defining requirement for *Crotalus oreganus* across all its varied habitats?
Answer
Adequate hiding spots
Regardless of whether the snake is found in grasslands, woodlands, or sagebrush communities across its wide range, a crucial and consistent element needed for survival is the availability of adequate hiding spots, or refugia. These refugia serve essential functions for thermal regulation and protection from predation. Examples of these necessary structures include rock crevices, structures like ground squirrel burrows, and even man-made accumulations like debris piles or wood stacks in areas where development encroaches on their territory. This structural need is more universally applied than adherence to a single vegetation type.
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