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<p>Lead exposure has been documented in a multitude of bird and mammal species but less frequently in reptiles. Of the studies that have evaluated lead concentrations in reptiles, few have focused on snakes. We analyzed lead concentrations in liver and two types of bone from 24 gophersnakes (<i>Pituophis catenifer; Pc)</i> and 12 Great Basin rattlesnakes (<i>Crotalus oreganus lutosus; Col)</i> found dead along roads in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southwestern Idaho, U.S.A from 2018 to 2021. Because this area has been heavily impacted by both military and recreational activity, we also quantified lead concentrations in the soil near where the dead snakes were found. All soil samples had detectable lead (median: 12.53&#xa0;µg/g; range: 0.07–16.77). Within individuals of both species, dry weight lead concentrations in liver generally were lower than those in bone (n samples &lt; LOQ Liver: 9 of 13 (<i>Pc</i>), 9 of 10 (<i>Col</i>) (only a subset of individuals were in good enough condition to provide liver samples); Bone: 0 of 24 (<i>Pc</i>), 3 of 12 (<i>Col</i>). We did not detect any differences in lead concentrations between the species for either tissue type, nor between bone from the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the snake skeleton. Additionally, we did not detect any correlation between lead concentration in soil collected at the roadkill sites and the tissue in the snakes. These data provide baseline information for lead exposure of two snake species in southwestern Idaho and demonstrate how lead is present in higher trophic levels within this ecosystem.</p>

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Lead exposure of snakes near recreational and military shooting areas in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Vincent A. Slabe,
  • David S. Pilliod,
  • Michelle I. Jeffries,
  • Kristina J. Parker,
  • Megan Yrazabal,
  • Christine D. Hayes,
  • Patricia A. Ortiz,
  • Todd E. Katzner

摘要

Lead exposure has been documented in a multitude of bird and mammal species but less frequently in reptiles. Of the studies that have evaluated lead concentrations in reptiles, few have focused on snakes. We analyzed lead concentrations in liver and two types of bone from 24 gophersnakes (Pituophis catenifer; Pc) and 12 Great Basin rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus lutosus; Col) found dead along roads in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southwestern Idaho, U.S.A from 2018 to 2021. Because this area has been heavily impacted by both military and recreational activity, we also quantified lead concentrations in the soil near where the dead snakes were found. All soil samples had detectable lead (median: 12.53 µg/g; range: 0.07–16.77). Within individuals of both species, dry weight lead concentrations in liver generally were lower than those in bone (n samples < LOQ Liver: 9 of 13 (Pc), 9 of 10 (Col) (only a subset of individuals were in good enough condition to provide liver samples); Bone: 0 of 24 (Pc), 3 of 12 (Col). We did not detect any differences in lead concentrations between the species for either tissue type, nor between bone from the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the snake skeleton. Additionally, we did not detect any correlation between lead concentration in soil collected at the roadkill sites and the tissue in the snakes. These data provide baseline information for lead exposure of two snake species in southwestern Idaho and demonstrate how lead is present in higher trophic levels within this ecosystem.