Record length, mass, and clutch size in the nonindigenous Burmese Python, Python bivittatus Kuhl 1820 (Squamata: Pythonidae), in Florida

Kenneth L. Krysko; Kristen M. Hart; Brian J. Smith; Thomas H. Selby; Michael S. Cherkiss; Nicholas T. Coutu; Rebecca M. Reichart; Leroy P. Nuñez; Frank J. Mazzotti; Ray W. Snow

Record length, mass, and clutch size in the nonindigenous Burmese Python, Python bivittatus Kuhl 1820 (Squamata: Pythonidae), in Florida

Reptiles & Amphibians

By: Kenneth L. Krysko, Kristen M. Hart, Brian J. Smith, Thomas H. Selby, Michael S. Cherkiss, Nicholas T. Coutu, Rebecca M. Reichart, Leroy P. Nuñez, Frank J. Mazzotti, and Ray W. Snow

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Abstract

The Burmese Python, Python bivittatus Kuhl 1820 (Squamata: Pythonidae), is indigenous to northern India,east to southern China, and south to Vietnam and a few islands in Indonesia (Barker and Barker 2008, Reed and Rodda 2009). This species has been introduced since at least 1979 in southern Florida, USA, where it likely began reproducing and became established during the 1980s (Meshaka et al. 2000, Snowet al. 2007b,Kraus 2009, Krysko et al. 2011, Willson et al. 2011). Python bivittatus has been documented in Florida consuming a variety of mammals and birds, and the American Alligator(Alligator mississippiensis) (Snowet al. 2007a, 2007b; Harvey et al. 2008; Rochford et al. 2010b; Holbrook and Chesnes 2011), many of which are protected species. Herein, we provide details on two of the largest known wild P. bivittatus in Florida to date, including current records on length,mass,clutch size, and diet.

Suggested Citation

Krysko, K.L., Hart, K.M., Smith, B.J., Selby, T.H., Cherkiss, M.S., Coutu, N.T., Reichart, R.M., Nuñez, L., Mazzotti, F., Snow, R.W., 2012, Record length, mass, and clutch size in the nonindigenous Burmese Python, Python bivittatus Kuhl 1820 (Squamata: Pythonidae), in Florida: Reptiles & Amphibians, v. 19, no. 4, p. 267-270.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Record length, mass, and clutch size in the nonindigenous Burmese Python, Python bivittatus Kuhl 1820 (Squamata: Pythonidae), in Florida
Series title	Reptiles & Amphibians
Volume	19
Issue	4
Year Published	2012
Language	English
Publisher	International Reptile Conservation Foundation
Contributing office(s)	Southeast Ecological Science Center
Description	4 p.
Larger Work Type	Article
Larger Work Subtype	Journal Article
Larger Work Title	Reptiles & Amphibians
First page	267
Last page	270
Country	United States
State	Florida