Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

By

Anderson, Gretchen E.
Spencer, Mckayla M.
Snow, Ray W.
Currylow, Andrea
Ridgley, Frank N.
Falk, Bryan G.
Yackel Adams, Amy A.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-7-11

Original Publication

NeoBiota : advancing research on alien species and biological invasions

Volume

99

Pages

363--370

Subjects

Digestion , invasive species , perforation

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sophia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.99.148521

 

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.