Trade, Climate and Habitat Shape the Distribution of Pythons in Benin

Barnabé Sossa^1, , Stanislas Zanvo², Romaël B. Badou³, Nathalie Kpera⁴, Georges Nobime², Achille Assogbadjo² and Chabi A.M.S. Djagoun²

¹Direction Générale des Eaux Forêts et Chasse, Ministère du Cadre de Vie et du Transport en Charge du Développement Durable, BP 393 Cotonou, Bénin

²Laboratoire d’Ecologie Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Cotonou, Bénin

³Ecole de Foresterie Tropicale, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, BP 43, Kétou, Bénin

⁴National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB), 01 BP 884, Cotonou, Benin

Cite this paper:
Barnabé Sossa, Stanislas Zanvo, Romaël B. Badou, Nathalie Kpera, Georges Nobime, Achille Assogbadjo and Chabi A.M.S. Djagoun. Trade, Climate and Habitat Shape the Distribution of Pythons in Benin. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2026; 14(2):34-43. doi: 10.12691/aees-14-2-1

Abstract

Although Benin is known as one of the most prolific exporting countries of python and where the two native species are highly traded for local consumption and traditional medicine, their conservation remains uncertain in the country. This study used a LEK-based survey with hunters in 224 villages and occurrence data from Global Biodiversity Information Facility database to delineate the spatial density distribution, habitat correlation and climatic influences in Python regius and Python sebae across Benin. The two species showed wide distributions extending across central Benin, with higher densities in the south. Analysis of the size of the occurrence area revealed that Python sebae had relatively the largest range (39,415.67 km²). Density estimates and multiple correspondence analysis in the occurrence areas indicated a relatively high probability of encountering multiple individuals within a single 1 km² grid and a preference of open habitats by the two species. A downward trend in species abundance was observed, highlighting potential conservation concerns. Generalised linear model analysis indicated that rainfall and temperature significantly influenced the presence of Python regius and Python sebae. These results underline the need for targeted conservation strategies to reverse the declining trends for long-term and effective conservation of these pythons in Benin.

Keywords:
Reptiles Benin occurrence climatic influences

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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