Content area

Abstract

Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) and African rock pythons (Python sebae) have established invasive populations in southern Florida, severely disrupting local ecosystems. We analysed necropsy data from 2,179 pythons captured between 2006 and 2022, revealing nine cases of coelomic foreign bodies, primarily consisting of bird beaks, which presumably entered the coelom following gastrointestinal perforations during prey consumption. Despite the presence of foreign bodies, most examined pythons exhibited no obvious health issues. These findings indicate that the consumption of prey with sharp morphological features, such as wading birds, may not impede the pythons’ survival or health significantly, thereby underscoring their adaptability as apex predators in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.

Details

1009240
Identifier / keyword
Title
Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA
Publication title
NeoBiota; Sofia
Volume
99
Pages
363-370
Number of pages
9
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Section
Short Communication
Publisher
Pensoft Publishers
Place of publication
Sofia
Country of publication
Bulgaria
Publication subject
ISSN
16190033
e-ISSN
13142488
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
Document type
Journal Article
Publication history
 
 
Online publication date
2025-07-11
Milestone dates
2025-02-02 (Received); 2025-05-24 (Accepted)
Publication history
 
 
   First posting date
11 Jul 2025
ProQuest document ID
3230771276
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/coelomic-foreign-bodies-wild-caught-i-python-spp/docview/3230771276/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
© 2025. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.
Last updated
2025-08-05
Database
ProQuest One Academic