Egg retention in wild-caught Python bivittatus in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

Herpetological Journal
By: , and 

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Abstract

Retention of eggs in oviducts beyond the normal oviposition period is a common problem for captive reptiles, but the occurrence of egg retention in wild populations is largely unknown. The Burmese python (Python [molurus] bivittatus; Kühl 1820) is an oviparous snake native to south-eastern Asia that is now established in southern Florida. From 2011–2019, invasive Burmese pythons were opportunistically removed from Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, humanely euthanised, and necropsied to determine reproductive condition. A total of 258 females of reproductive size were found to exhibit various stages of oviposition which generally aligned with purported annual reproductive timing. However, we encountered five pythons during the post-ovulatory period (Aug–Feb) showing signs of recent oviposition with retained eggs. Most of these cases comprised a small number of retained eggs, likely representing some portion of the total clutch. Because this condition is nearly absent in wild animal literature, our observations suggest retained eggs in wild snakes may be more common than previously assumed, possibly slowing or otherwise impacting population growth. However, we recognise that for an invasive species like the Burmese python in Florida, the egg retention rate may be higher in the non-native range compared to the native range due to maladaptation to novel habitats or environmental conditions. Additional research is needed to determine the exact causes of egg retention and investigate the implications for population dynamics on this and other snake species.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Egg retention in wild-caught Python bivittatus in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA
Series title Herpetological Journal
DOI 10.33256/32.3.109113
Volume 32
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher British Herpetological Society
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center
Description 5 p.
First page 109
Last page 113
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Greater Everglades Ecosystem
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