Details of generalized linear mixed models comparing the attributes of used <i>versus</i> unused artificial rocks by species.

<p>Sample sizes, average parameter estimates, standard errors of these estimates, and sum of Akaike weights (w_i) for explanatory variables derived for all combinations of the generalized linear models comparing the attributes of used artificial rocks <i>versus</i> those not known to have been used by seven different wildlife species on sandstone outcrops in south-eastern Australia. Boldface values have a high w_i value, indicating high importance.</p

Movement data for broad-headed snakes collected over the Australian spring and summer seasons of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012.

<p>(a) mean total distance (in meters) moved by male and female snakes, (b) mean distance moved in meters per location shift by male and female snakes, (c) mean number of days between location shifts by male and female snakes and (d) the number of moves per tracking day for male and female snakes. All graphs show mean values and associated standard errors.</p

Details of generalized linear mixed models predicting the frequency of use of artificial rocks by species.

<p>Average parameter estimates, standard errors of these estimates, and sum of Akaike weights (w_i) for explanatory variables derived for all combinations of the generalized linear models predicting the frequency of usage of artificial rocks by six different wildlife species on sandstone outcrops in south-eastern Australia. Rocks never recorded as being used by a given species are omitted from these analyses. Bold values have a high w_i value, indicating high importance.</p

Coefficients of the four best generalized mixed models and standard errors, with AICc values, change in AICc values (ΔAICc) and Akaike weight (<i>w_i</i>).

<p>Coefficients of the four best generalized mixed models and standard errors, with AICc values, change in AICc values (ΔAICc) and Akaike weight (<i>w_i</i>).</p

An artificial rock on site.

<p>Artificial rocks were designed to provide crevices with attributes preferred by saxicolous reptiles. All rocks were placed on flat ground to provide crevices 4 to 11 mm high, in areas with open canopies overhead and on the western side of the outcrops to allow relatively high sun exposure (and thus, favorable thermal regimes).</p

Thermal extremes in snake retreat-sites during the summer (1 December to 28 February) of 2010/2011.

<p>The graph shows the total number of hours at which retreat-site temperatures were above the voluntary thermal maximum (VTMax, 32.5°C) and estimated critical thermal maximum (CTMax, 38.0°C) of broad-headed snakes. Data are shown separately for two habitat types used by those snakes: those used in summer (tree hollows) and in winter (under rocks). Rocks often exceeded both VTMax and CTMax in summer, whereas tree hollows exceeded these limits only rarely. * indicates a statistically significant difference.</p

Mean maximum ambient temperatures experienced under rocks (winter habitat for broad-headed snakes) and in tree hollows (summer habitat for broad-headed snakes) during winter and summer.

<p>By shifting habitat between winter and summer, these snakes experience relatively stable thermal regimes and avoid extreme temperatures.</p

Means and standard errors of habitat variables associated with artificial rocks either used or not used by seven saxicolous wildlife species.

<p>“Used” rocks were those where we found the species sheltering in the crevice formed between the artificial rock and the underlying rock substrate. These values are based on measurements of 198 identical artificial rocks deployed across the landscape, and the use of those rocks by fauna over 29 months, from August 2007–December 2009.</p

Thermal regimes in retreat-sites and potentially available retreat-sites.

<p>Panel (a) shows the temperature cycle on a hot day in the summer of 2010/2011 and (b) shows the same cycle on a hot day in the (cooler) summer of 2011/2012. Graphs show mean values and associated standard errors.</p

Characteristics of trees in vegetation types that were either used by radio-tracked broad-headed snakes (“Mellong sandmass dry woodland” and “Hawkesbury–Hornsby plateau exposed woodland”) or were not used by our snakes (“Hawkesbury sheltered dry forest”).

<p>In the preferred macrohabitat types, tree diameter at breast height (a) was greater and trees had more hollows (b). Mean tree height (c) did not differ between used and unused vegetation types. Graphs show mean values and associated standard errors. * indicates a statistically significant difference.</p