First it was the Burmese python. Now scientists believe as many as nine non-native snakes representing five species could become established in portions of the United States.
The outcome of such an ecological invasion could include unforeseen impacts on native reptiles and threaten birds and other species, according to a study released last week by the U.S. Geological Survey, whose earlier conclusions on the Burmese python are being tested at Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in Aiken County.
"This new report has some differences from the earlier paper, which was just on Burmese pythons," said post-doctoral research scientist J.D. Willson, who is studying Burmese pythons in a specially designed enclosure within Savannah River Site. "The new document basically does the same thing for the other giant constrictors."
In June, following predictions that climates throughout most of the Southeast could support populations of Burmese pythons, Savannah River Ecology Lab launched a yearlong study to gauge their ability to survive during colder weather.
"They are all still alive at this point," said Dr. Willson.
Colleagues and Dr. Willson are monitoring 10 pythons captured in south Florida, where the exotic snakes have already created a breeding population numbering in the tens of thousands. The test snakes at SREL range up to 11 feet in length, although the giant constrictors can reach 20 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds.
According to the new report, high-risk species -- Burmese pythons, northern and southern African pythons, boa constrictors and yellow anacondas -- all put larger portions of the U.S. mainland at risk than previously thought. Medium-risk species -- reticulated python, Deschauensee's anaconda, green anaconda and Beni anaconda -- constitute lesser threats.
"This report clearly reveals that these giant snakes threaten to destabilize some of our most precious ecosystems and parks, primarily through predation on vulnerable native species," said Dr. Robert Reed, co-author of the report and a USGS invasive species scientist and herpetologist.
Although the new list of potential exotic invaders includes more snakes than the Burmese python, most of them would remain confined to the warmer climates, the report said. "Based on climate alone, many of the species would be limited to the warmest areas of the United States, including parts of Florida, extreme south Texas, Hawaii, and America's tropical islands, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and other Pacific islands," the authors concluded.
The Burmese python remains one of the most adaptable of the giant constrictors, as evidenced by its ability to establish itself in south Florida, where it continues to spread. Scientists determined they can travel 40 kilometers in a month and documented a clutch of 107 eggs.
Although they rarely kill or attack humans, they do pose a "small potential for contribution to traffic accidents," the USGS authors wrote, because they can occasionally block roads and contribute to "bystander accumulation."
The project at SREL is a joint effort that also involves the National Park Service, University of Florida and Davidson College. UGA professor emeritus Whit Gibbons and Davidson College professor Mike Dorcas are also involved in the studies.
Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
SNAKES OF CONCERN
- Indian or Burmese python (Python molurus)
- Northern African python (Python sebae)
- Southern African python (Python natalensis)
- Reticulated python (Python [or Broghammerus] reticulatus)
- Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor)
- Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
- Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)
- Beni or Bolivian anaconda (Eunectes beniensis)
- Deschauensee's anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei)
Source: U.S. Geologic Survey
READ THE COMPLETE REPORT: pubs.usgs.gov
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The best solution to get rid of theses snakes is send them to Washington DC where most of the large snakes in this country
work as congress people.
Start making more snake-skin shoes, wallets and purses.
No conclusions in this rambling piece about climate affecting these snakes, other than to say they can live in south Florida. That's a long way from here, due south. "They're still alive at this point" says little for their ability to survive an Augusta winter.
um... do some research. do you need a news outlet to hold your hand or do you have a brain?
I need news outlet to hold my hand. However....I did come up with one idea. Why not let the snakes loose across the river at Riverwalk. So far nothing has survived there.
Kill them!!!...They are not endangered and killing the beasts will solve the problem..they should have open season on them in Florida!
Make it open season on them!
Hahaha willienelson. Why? The economy, mercury? What? Tell me more.
Anyone who owns these types of snakes and releases them into the wild in this country needs to be prosecuted big time. Don't buy the frigging things if you can't deal with them and if you have one and can't deal with it them turn it over to the proper people who can do something.
Not many pet stores carry anacondas. I'm thinking imported with fruit or other produce. Boas & pythons on the other hand... could be a combination of deliberately released and accidentally imported, especially the African pythons (accidently released). Neither are very popular pets. I'm not sure how to handle this problem, but outright slaughter isn't the answer. Remember, horses aren't native to NA but neither is Kudzu, let's not forget Alligator Gar & Hibiscus (footnote: Gar & kudzu were both brought in by the Corp of Engineers). I'm not sure what they were thinking when they imported a fish with that many teeth & figured it would eat algae. Armadilloes aren't native to Georgia, but they're migrating. It's the course of nature. Nature will adapt. dickworth, why would you wish that on any real snake?
bettyboop & JohnQ; Try to remember a history of "open season" on the Bison, a native species of NA. We accomplished what? "Open Season" only works for species that propagate faster than the ecosystem can support them i.e. rabbits & people. Snakes serve a purpose (rodent control). Just because they're not "native" doesn't mean they shouldn't be here. If that were the case WE shouldn't be here.
These people are NUTS. They have let them nest at SREL and they have already created a "breeding population". They are not endangered so kill them. The only good snake is a dead snake. Yea I know I opened a can of snakes with that statement but please, a snake is a pair of boots waiting to happen. As far as the second to last paragraph about a small traffic problem. Not for me that is why I drive a Jeep with oversized tires. I will consider it a speed bump. How's that affect your breeding population?
georgialina, be careful. Your ignorance is showing. The only good snake is a dead snake? Do you prefer to be overrun with mice and other similar vermin?
Georgialina, I see you have a phobia about snakes. "The only good snake is a dead snake". Do you feel the same about rats? Probably, but who's eating rats these days? Snakes. Apparently you weren't on Alligator Alley in the 60's when the Rattlesnakes migrated or you'd know that "oversized tires" didn't mean a dam thing... trucks went in the canal, surrounded by rattlesnakes. You haven't got a hope in hell of affecting their "breeding population" since they're contained. Knowledge is a GOOD thing.
I love snakes, they eat mice and rats. And a reticulated python is a truly beautiful snake.
doyougetitnow, you would be correct if we were discussing snakes native to the area. The snakes referenced in the article are not native and will unbalance the ecosystem. Perhaps if you read the article again you will understand my comment.
There are rosy boas in California, and believe me, the mice and rats have managed just fine. I can remember when I was a kid and somebody brought a boa to school. A girl that none of us liked was holding it wrapped around her arm, and the snake got stressed and started constricting. We, of course, laughed like crazy. Ah, the good old days.
Import some road runners and king snakes from California. They eat rattlesnakes.
I am not talking about snakes native to our area....kill the ones that do not belong here...remember the rabbits in Australia?
Why should these reptiles be for sale anyway? Most people who have them cannot properly care for these monstrous snakes. I think they should be destroyed or returned to their native habitats; as for the rats and mice, our own indigenous snakes take care of them just fine. At least these breeds will not crush and eat your small pets or child (and they have been known to kill adult humans as well--I don't care what SREL says, the attacks on humans is well documented in countries that are native to these snakes). If a clutch of eggs is found, they should be destroyed immediately to prevent an increase in population. I don't like snakes, but I do recognize their place in the ecosystem and the US is not the ecosystem meant for these large reptiles.
Animals of every species migrate and adapt to their surroundings (see my earlier post). It's called assimilation. Species that are already there, adapt to their presence (Native Americans didn't fare too well with that experiment). If they are brought to these surroundings illegally (imported or released), then prosecute the ones responsible. If they are brought here accidentally, legally, or migrate, who's to prosecute? mable8, while I agree with some of your posts, that arguement doesn't hold water, we have alligators; other than conserving water & eating what's in their reach, what purpose do they serve (their attacks on humans & pets are well documented)? But they were protected until a few years ago. Don't bother with the "indigenous" arguement. WE aren't indigenous. Neither was that poodle. John Q, I've read the article & your comment. "Open Season" is not the answer. A season, maybe, but not open season. These snakes don't reproduce any faster than most other animals. A season would drive the price of boots WAY down. I'm not against killing them, just wholesale slaughter, just because...