Reproduction probabilities and size distributions of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca in the Netherlands and Norway

Whether females participate in reproduction every year or rather skip years is pivotal information for understanding the dynamics of animal populations. In ectotherms this reproduction frequency might depend on factors like temperature, individual size, and prey availability. Here we studied the reproduction rate of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca at two latitudes: in Norway and The Netherlands. Reproductive and morphological data were collected in Norway (34 years) and The Netherlands (5 years). To account for differential resighting probabilities of pregnant and non-pregnant females, we... Mehr ...