How Do Brown Tree Snakes Affect Our Ecosystems?

A group of researchers collected data to support the theory that the overpopulation of snakes is killing off the mammal population. Ashley Townsend, National Geographic writes, “the python population has continued to grow at a remarkable rate and has caused great distress to the park 's ecosystem.” For this study, the researchers at the South Florida Water Management District recorded the rates of live and dead mammals during a nocturnal road survey and compared it to the 1996-1997 road surveys. Scientists for the South Florida Management District, stated, “Researchers noted that the animals in the park were dying at a greater rate since the python population has gotten so enormous.”

Thought to have been first introduced into the wild via pet owners (Dorcas & Wilson, 20011) have caused significant declines in mammal populations. An observational study conducted by Dorcas et al (2012), found a 90% reduction in encounter rates of a number of species including racoon, opossums, bob cats and white tailed deer over the period 2003-2011 in which Burmese python populations have increased. The introduction of the Burmese python has also caused a significant decline in bird species. A study conducted by Dove et al (2011) found remains of 25 different species of birds in the digestive tracts of 85 Burmese pythons collected from 2003-2008, 4 of which are of special concern in Florida and 1 the ‘Wood Stork’ is listed as endangered. Preying on native wildlife and competing with native predators has impacted the food web and trophic level dynamics of the ecological

The Burmese Python is one of many invasive species. These snakes are native the Southeast Asia. They were imported to the U.S. for pet trade. However, people who own these snakes sometimes don't realize they can grow up to 22ft and weigh up to 200 pounds. The size of these snakes prohibits them from being appropriate pets. As a result these animals are released into the wild. Not only does this affect the ecosystem, but it also affects the mammal and bird populations. In the

Burmese pythons are an invading species that are causing problems to the local animal population, the local ecosystems, and the people in the area of Florida’s Everglades. These snakes are one of the biggest snakes in the world and grow up to be twenty three feet long and weigh up to two hundred pounds. They are able to hunt in the dark due to the chemical receptors on their tongues and heat sensors all over their jaw. This is bad for humans, as we cannot see very well in the dark. This can cause the snake to see us, but us not be able to see them. Without natural predators, these animals are lean, mean killing machines that can destroy many populations of animals and stand as a threat to humans.

Burmese Pythons is a non-native pest in the United States of America, which originated from South Asia. The species is becoming an established breeding population in South Florida and its environs. The python was illegally freed in the Everglades National park where the marshy grasses and water provide a conducive environment for its survival. Burmese python was recognized as a reproducing population around the year 2000. The python has been classified as an invasive species in Florida. The species has disrupted the ecosystem by preying on native species and out-competing them for food. The python is a successful invasive species because their large size makes it have fewer predators (alligators and humans) (Brown, 2006). Efforts have been put in place to manage the increase of the Burmese pythons due to the devastating effects it has caused in the ecosystem. Python removal and control is being done through dogs and human search. Dog search has recorded much greater success than human beings because humans cannot access some areas due to the thick vegetation.

There are many different species of snakes that inhabit Arizona, but the Sonoran Coral Snake, the Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake, the Milk Snake, and the Sonoran Shovel-Nosed Snake are particularly interesting because despite being different species they all look like one another. The red, black, and yellow stripes they share can be attributed to evolution and environment. The four species of snakes have different diets, habitats, and distribution, but they do share one environmental element: primary predators. All four snakes have raptors, long tailed weasels, and badgers as predators. These snakes have evolved to have stripes because raptors, long tailed weasels, and badgers are less likely to eat snakes with red, black, and yellow stripes

The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is one of the largest snakes in the world, measuring up to 5.74 meters long and weighing up to 182.8 kilograms. The species is native to southeast Asia and in its native habitat, consumes a wide array of prey including many different mammal, amphibian, lizard, snake, bird, and fish species (Snow et al. 2007). In southern Florida, pythons have established themselves across thousands of square kilometers including all of Everglades National Park (Boback et al. 2016). Research points to multiple instances of pet release to be the cause of their introduction to the Everglades as a foreign species (Snow et al. 2007). Python populations have significantly increased in both abundance and geographic range in the Everglades since their introduction, preying on a wide variety of native mammals and birds, posing a serious problem as an invasive species and apex predator (Dorcas et al. 2012).

My research on the python has lead me to the conclusion of the labeling of the Burmese python as an invasive species. This organism is a key stone species of Burma Asia. Though in the past few years some where located in everglades of Florida. We believe that some people brought a python back from a trip and thought it would be cool to have as an exotic pet, but then realized the dangers and released it into the wild The species rapidly grew and began to compete with other native species in the area to survive. One of the native species the python is competing with is Florida's known alligators.

The Mojave Rattlesnake is found in the mojave desert of california and in western parts in texas southern nevada edge of mexican plateau.Its habitat varies between dry deserts grasslands and bushes. Adults can reach 2 to 4 inches which is a medium sized snake. Some can be greenish, greenish gray ,olive green , and occasionally brownish or yellowish. The diamond back rattle snakes adaptation is that they have a toxic venom the can help kill predators.

Burmese pythons are negatively affecting Florida’s Everglades. These pythons are originally from Southeast Asia. Source four tells us that we should do a better job of educating people about their careless actions. Source four also tells us that keeping these malicious snakes as pets is injudicious. There are about tens of thousands of Burmese pythons estimated living in the Everglades. The main reason why these snakes are in the Everglades is because people thought that they could handle them as pets, but as soon as they kept them, they turned them loose into the Everglades. This information tells you why these pythons are a burden and a threat to these precious animals and the

During their vacation, a family traveled to the Everglades to enjoy and relax in nature, but their trip was interrupted by a 20 feet long snake. It sounds very frightening, as well as uncommon. However, any person that visits the Florida Everglades has a very good change of encountering a snake like that one, called Burmese pythons. Their population in this natural area has increased tremendously because humans adopt them as pets when they’re young and later release them into the Everglades. The presence of the Burmese pythons is having a large effect on the Everglades because they are killing local animals, endangering its ecosystem, and outing people in danger.

Although the estimate of the exact number of pythons varies from study to study, they all agree if the upward trend in the invasive snakes’ population continues, the fragile ecosystem of the “American Caribbean” risks losing its most recognizable species in exchange for the incongruous reptiles. In an effort to prevent this, local government officials have implemented programs specifically for the purpose of educating the public on identifying and reporting the pythons so that they may be disposed of properly (Harvey, 2016). While this population control method is mildly effective, complete eradication will require a much heavier hand as well preventative measures like stern punishment in the form of a hefty fine for releasing exotic pets into the

Burmese Pythons are invasive reptiles that are eating various wildlife of the Everglades, whether its prominent or endangered species. In order to successfully control this growing population, scientists will need to do extensive research, plan a course of action, and execute it with the use of proper funds. This includes an abundance of plans that control or kill the population before the issue gets out of hand.

When capture snakes are euthanized by USNPS personnel, and the nest is destroyed. Other ways of removing the Burmese pythons are by isolating the chemical cues (pheromones) that pythons use during mating season. Once isolated, pheromones can lure pythons into traps. Trained dogs are being looked at for their effectiveness at sniffing out snakes. A release of an exotic animal in Florida is a first-degree misdemeanor with a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Regulation went up in 2008 to limit the sale of "reptiles of concern” like the Burmese pythons, African rock pythons, reticulated pythons, green anacondas, etc. microchip implant and identification for reptiles two inches in diameter or greater. Conduct research before purchasing an exotic pet. If someone no longer cares for an exotic pet, call the Fire Rescue Department. (McCleery, 2015) The Burmese python poses challenges to trap. Trapping, a traditional method of snake capture, can include an inescapable funnel device and a drift fence that direct the snake into the trap. It is important that the drift fence is inserted into the so the snakes don’t bypass it. The problem with this is with the hard limestone foundation making construction of the drift fences difficult. Finally, the immense area that the Burmese python occupied will make it hard to utility an extensive trapping. It would be more practical to trap them on

There are many different species of snakes in the U.S that are all important to the ecosystem, but there are some that don’t belong here and they are now considered invasive species. I believe that the Burmese python has had a massive impact to the Everglades National Park located in Florida.