Maximum clutch size of an invasive Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) in Florida, USA
Native to southeastern Asia, the Burmese Python (Python bivittatus Kuhl 1820) is an invasive species established in southern Florida (Snow et al. 2007; Krysko et al. 2016; Krysko et al. 2019). Pythons are documented as having negative effects on the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and they have proven to be a complex problem for managers trying to control populations (Guzy et al. 2023). This species can move long distances (Pittman et al. 2014; Hart et al. 2015), use diverse habitats (Hart et al. 2015; Walters et al. 2016; Bartoszek et al. 2021a), consume a wide range of vertebrate prey items (Romagosa et al. 2022; Guzy et al. 2023 and citations therein), and has few documented predators (Bartoszek et al. 2021b; Mccollister et al. 2021; Currylow et al. 2023). Another factor that likely has contributed to the success of Burmese Pythons as an invasive species is their reproductive output (Reed et al. 2012). Though data are limited, clutch sizes of pythons in Florida range from 22–84 (mean = 49; see Currylow et al. 2022a and citations therein). Herein we report, to the best of our knowledge, the largest number of eggs in a single wild python nest recorded to date in Florida.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Title | Maximum clutch size of an invasive Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) in Florida, USA |
| DOI | 10.17161/randa.v30i1.19544 |
| Authors | Andrea Faye Currylow, Teah Evers, Gretchen Erika Anderson, Lisa Marie McBride, Matthew McCollister, Jacquelyn C. Guzy, Christina Romagosa, Kristen Hart, Amy A. Yackel Adams |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Reptiles & Amphibians |
| Index ID | 70241904 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Fort Collins Science Center; Wetland and Aquatic Research Center |
Related Content
Andrea Currylow, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Former Employee)
Research Ecologist
Gretchen Anderson, MSc (Former Employee)
Biological Science Technician
Kristen Hart, Ph.D.
Research Ecologist
Amy Yackel Adams, PhD
Supervisory Research Ecologist
Related Content
- Connect
Andrea Currylow, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Former Employee)
Research EcologistGretchen Anderson, MSc (Former Employee)
Biological Science TechnicianKristen Hart, Ph.D.
Research EcologistEmailPhoneAmy Yackel Adams, PhD
Supervisory Research EcologistEmailPhone