Une ponte record chez la couleuvre de Montpellier Malpolon monspessulanus

International audienceA clutch of 15 eggs was recorded in a large female Montpellier snake (snout-vent length SVL100cm, total length 130cm). In France, this represents the maximal value recorded for the species, butlittle information is available on the fecundity of this species. Pre-laying and post-laying maternal masswas respectively of 579g and 379g. On average, the eggs measured 38.8mm x 26.0mm and weighted 15.0g(note that the eggs were examined 1.5 day after laying, hence each absorbed approximately 1.7 g of waterprior to measurements). Relative clutch mass was 50%