Silent Threats: First Case of Plastic Ingestion by Drymarchon corais (Yellow-tailed Indigo Snake) Highlights Environmental Risks of Improper Waste Disposal in the Amazon.

Plastic waste affects wildlife globally, yet reptiles are often overlooked in studies. On December 23, 2023, an adult Drymarchon corais was captured in Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil. During handling, the snake regurgitated prey items along with plastic wrappers. This case represents the first record of plastic ingestion by a snake in the Amazon. It demonstrates how improperly discarded waste infiltrates food webs, likely through prey that previously ingested plastic or accidental consumption during foraging. The study highlights the urgent need for effective waste management policies and further research to understand the broader impacts of plastic pollution on Amazonian biodiversity.