African Python, Python Natalensis, in South Africa (Courtesy of G
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i Cover photo: Green Anaconda photo by Lutz Dirksen. Photo permission granted for use. i Giant Constrictors: Biological and Management Profiles and an Establishment Risk Assessment for Nine Large Species of Pythons, Anacondas, and the Boa Constrictor By Robert N. Reed and Gordon H. Rodda Open-File Report 2009–1202 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey i U.S. Department of the Interior KEN SALAZAR, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2009 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Suggested citation: Reed, R.N., and Rodda, G.H., 2009, Giant constrictors: biological and management profiles and an establishment risk assessment for nine large species of pythons, anacondas, and the boa constrictor: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009–1202, 302 p. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. Frontispiece: Clockwise from upper left: Southern African Python, Python natalensis, in South Africa (courtesy of G. Alexander); A clutch of hatchling Burmese Pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) in Florida (courtesy of S. Snow); A brooding female Burmese Python lifted from her eggs in Florida (courtesy of S. Snow); Green Anaconda, Eunectes murinus, in Brazil (courtesy of L. Dirksen); DeSchauensee's Anaconda, Eunectes deschauenseei (courtesy of L. Dirksen); Boa Constrictor, Boa constrictor, on Aruba Island, West Indies (courtesy of R. Reed); Reticulated Python, Broghammerus reticulatus, on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia (courtesy of B. Lardner). ii iii iv Table of Contents Chapter One–Introduction and Synopsis of Conclusions ...................................................................... 1 Synopsis of Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 4 Chapter Two–Materials and Methods ....................................................................................................... 9 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Length Measurements ............................................................................................................................... 10 Climate Space ............................................................................................................................................ 11 International Trade ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Climate Matching ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Reasons for Preferring our Method to the use of Environmental Niche Models ......................................... 16 Chapter Three–Synopsis of Eradication Tools ...................................................................................... 21 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 21 Primary Tools ............................................................................................................................................. 23 Primary Tool I–Limit Spread: Barriers ..................................................................................................... 23 Primary Tool IIa–Localize Targets: Visual Searching ............................................................................. 25 Primary Tool IIb–Localize Targets: Public Reporting .............................................................................. 29 Primary Tool III–Localize Targets: Trapping ........................................................................................... 30 Primary Tool IV–Localize Targets: Detector Dogs .................................................................................. 32 Primary Tool V–Kill Unlocalized Snakes: Toxicants ............................................................................... 33 Summary of Primary Tools ..................................................................................................................... 34 Secondary Tools ........................................................................................................................................ 35 Secondary Tools I–Judas Snakes .......................................................................................................... 35 Secondary Tools II–Biocontrol ................................................................................................................ 36 Secondary Tools III–Habitat Manipulation .............................................................................................. 38 Secondary Tools IV–Bounties and Adding Value ................................................................................... 38 Secondary Tools V–Frightening Devices ................................................................................................ 38 Secondary Tools VI–Reproductive Inhibition .......................................................................................... 39 Secondary Tools VII–Egg/Nest Destruction ........................................................................................... 40 Secondary Tools VIII–Pheromonal Attractants ....................................................................................... 40 Summary of Secondary Tools ................................................................................................................ 42 Overall Summary .................................................................................................................................... 42 Chapter Four–The Indian or Burmese Python, Python molurus .......................................................... 43 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 43 1.1 Species ............................................................................................................................................. 43 1.2 Common Names ............................................................................................................................... 44 1.3 Evolutionary Context ........................................................................................................................ 44 2.0 Description ........................................................................................................................................... 45 2.1 Unique Morphological Features ........................................................................................................ 45 2.2 Size .................................................................................................................................................. 45 2.3 Sexual Size Dimorphism .................................................................................................................. 46 2.4 External Sexual Differentiation ......................................................................................................... 46 3.0 Distribution in Space and Time ............................................................................................................ 47 3.1 Native Range .................................................................................................................................... 47 v 3.2 Habitat Range................................................................................................................................... 50 3.2.1 Maximum Elevation .................................................................................................................... 50 3.3 Climate Range .................................................................................................................................. 50 3.4 Microhabitat ...................................................................................................................................... 51 3.5 Introduced Ranges ........................................................................................................................... 52 3.6 Seasonal Activity .............................................................................................................................. 52 3.7 Daily Activity ..................................................................................................................................... 52 3.8 Foraging Mode/Sensory Modalities .................................................................................................. 52 4.0 Life History ........................................................................................................................................... 53 4.1 Reproductive Mode .........................................................................................................................