My post on the law forum seems germane here...

Four things come to mind, to consider with the surviving Python populations:

1) Was there an identifiable artificially manipulated man made microhabitat that possibly contributed to survival, as in a Power Plant, for example? If so, measures should be taken to ensure containment and/or elimination of any new pioneer colonies.

2) Sex and size may be a large factor in survival. There may be a correlation as to greater survivability among smaller snakes and male snakes. With few or no female survivors, there can be no long term continuation of the population.

3) Also, with diminished population densities, snakes will require larger territorial ranges for successful breeding and proliferation. Therefore, successful breeding outcomes should statistically be at a lower percentage of total population, at least in the near term.

4) However remote, there is the chance fecundity and fertility may be at a lower rate, as well. Could be higher, of course.

jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]