Are brown tree snakes invasive?
Brown tree snake, (Boiga irregularis), also called brown catsnake or culepla, slender, mildly venomous, primarily arboreal snake of family Colubridae that is considered to be one of the most aggressive invasive species in the world.
Why are brown tree snakes considered invasive?
When the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) was accidentally introduced to Guam it caused the local extinction of most of the island’s native bird and lizard species. It also caused “cascading” ecological effects by removing native pollinators, causing the subsequent decline of native plant species.
Where are brown tree snakes invasive?
Guam
Since Guam is a major transportation hub in the Pacific, numerous opportunities exist for the brown tree snakes on Guam to be introduced accidentally to other Pacific islands as passive stowaways in ship and air traffic from Guam….
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Federal Government Series |
What are the characteristics of the brown tree snakes?
Brown Tree Snake. DESCRIPTION: Brown tree snakes may be any length from 18 inches as juveniles to over 8 feet long as adults. They are generally olive green to brown, although they may be somehwhat yellow or have slight saddle-like splotches off red. They have vertical pupils and a large head relative to their body.
What problems do brown tree snakes cause?
The brown treesnake was a major contributor to the loss of nine of 11 native forest birds and significant population declines of several native lizards, bats and other bird species on Guam. They now pose a threat to the wildlife of Cocos Island.
What do you do if you see a brown tree snake?
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Report any sightings to Mr. Jim Stanford, the Brown Treesnake Rapid Response Team Coordinator for the United States Geological Survey. The 24-hr hot line is 671-777-HISS (4477).
Is the brown tree snake an invasive species?
Researchers from Dickinson College and the U.S. Geological Survey collaborated on field research to understand the ability of human searchers to detect the invasive brown treesnake (BTS) on the island of Guam.
Where do brown tree snakes live in Australia?
Brown tree snakes live in northern, eastern and southern Australia (up to the Sydney area). It is also found in Papua New Guinea and north western Melanesia. This snake is infamous for being an invasive species responsible for devastating the majority of the native bird population in Guam.
How did the brown tree snake affect Guam?
The brown treesnake was a major contributor to the loss of nine of 11 native forest birds and significant population declines of several native lizards, bats and other bird species on Guam. They now pose a threat to the wildlife of Cocos Island.
How does the brown tree snake cause extinction?
This snake subdues its prey either through the use of its venom or through constricting its prey with its long body (Amand, 2000). In Guam, the Brown Tree Snake is invasive and is believed to have caused the extinction of several bird species, and has greatly reduced populations of other vertebrates (O’Shea & Halliday, 2001).