Mammalian lures monitored with time-lapse cameras increase detection of pythons and other snakes.

Background: Enhancing detection of cryptic snakes is critical for the development of conservation and management strategies; yet, finding methods that provide adequate detection remains challenging. Issues with detecting snakes can be particularly problematic for some species, like the invasive Burmese python () in the Florida Everglades.

Methods: Using multiple survey methods, we predicted that our ability to detect pythons, larger snakes and all other snakes would be enhanced with the use of live mammalian lures (domesticated rabbits; ).

Comparative energetics and thermal responses to feeding in allied Agkistrodon snakes with contrasting diet and habitat use.

Variation in animal responses to feeding can be attributed to a variety of ecological factors, including foraging mode and dietary specialization. Specialization often favors species that have traits for exploiting food resources that are rare and that are not commonly shared by dietary generalists. We investigated physiological and behavioral responses to feeding between two snake species with different degrees of mammal feeding specialization: Agkistrodon contortrix (copperheads; a terrestrial species in which adults feed almost exclusively on mammals) and Agkistrodon piscivorus (cottonmouths; a semi-aquatic species feeding less on mammals and primarily on ectothermic prey).