The eastern indigo snake is the longest snake species native to the united states. With a habitat that covers much of the east coast and all of florida, some of the longest eastern indigos push nearly 9.5 feet. While this fact may invoke fear in many, humans do not have much to fear. Eastern indigos are non-venomous, and only eat small animals including bird eggs. Humans are actually more deadly to them. Even though they aren't the cutest or most sought-after pet, they play an important and irreplaceable part in their ecosystem. Description Eastern Indigo Snakes have a number of common names including the blue indigo snake, black snake, blue gopher snake, and blue bull snake. The Eastern Indigo Snake is one of the longest native snakes in the United States. A typical full-grown male is about 7.0–7.7 ft long and weighs 7.1–9.9 lb, while a typical full-grown female is about 6.6 ft long and weighs 4.0–6.0 lb. These snakes are bluish-black and may have a red-orange or cream coloration on the chin, throat or cheeks. Their scales are smooth and tend to shimmer in the sunlight. The Eastern Indigo Snake is not venomous, although it may bite people in it’s defense, it does not let out any venom. Taxonomy The indigo snake, whose scientific name is Drymarchon corais, ranges from the southeastern U.S. to northern Argentina. This species has eight known subspecies. Two of which are in the U.S. : the eastern indigo, with a scientific name of D. c. couperi, and the Texas indigo, which it’s scientific name is D. c. erebennus. Population Status The Eastern Indigo Snakes’ population has been slowly declining. They have been endangered since 1971. By the time an Eastern Indigo Snake is three to five years old, they are matu... ... middle of paper ... ...un through the sandhill habitats. Their habitat selection varies throughout the seasons. From December to April, Eastern Indigo Snakes prefer the sandhill habitats, while from May to July snakes shift from winter dens to summer territories. August through November they are located frequently in the shady creek bottoms. Niche Eastern Indigo Snakes help control the population of rodents and other snakes, including venomous snakes, in their home range. Threats to Survival The Eastern Indigo Snake has had a population decline caused by habitat loss, over-collecting for the pet trade, and the mortality from gassing gopher tortoise burrows to collect rattlesnakes. Humans pose as the greatest threat to the Eastern Indigo Snakes. The appropriate habitat is destroyed during many roadway and housing constructions, as well as logging and agricultural activities.
In this research paper, I will address the changes that occurred within the ecosystem of Yellowstone National Park since the reintroduction of the grey wolves. The paper will consist of four sections; the first section will include the history behind the extirpation and subsequent reintroduction of the gray wolf in Northern America. The second section will explore the political controversy that surrounds the reintroduction of the gray wolf in Yellowstone. The third section will contain discuss the gray wolf and its impact on the ecosystem of Yellowstone. I will conclude my essay by explaining how the gray wolves act as climate change buffers in Yellowstone amidst global warming.
One of the five largest species of snakes in the world is now finding a home in the Florida Everglades. The Burmese python has a dark colored eye-catching patterned skin and is known for its calm and relaxed temperament. Because of the attractiveness of their skin pattern and docile nature, it is one of the large snakes of choice among reptile owners. Unfortunately, these snakes can reach huge lengths and weigh upwards of 200lbs making them difficult to keep. As carnivores, Burmese pythons kept as pets need a diet of small rodents or rabbits. This can get expensive and unsanitary. These non-venomous snakes are tricky to care for and often illegally released into the wild. This dumping, importation for the exotic pet trade, and escaped snakes from Hurricane Andrew is resulting in an established wild population of Burmese pythons in South Florida.
Burmese pythons (Python molurus) are popular pets in the United States because of their attractive color pattern, reputed docility, and the allure, for some, of owning a giant snake. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approximately 99,000 Burmese pythons were imported to the United States between 1996 and 2006, compared to only 17,000 between 1970 and 1995. The species is classified by the World Conservation Union as “near threatened” in its native range in Southeast Asia due to exportation for the pet trade and hunting for skins. Thousands of pythons are also captive bred each year in the U.S. for sale as pets. An inexperienced snake keeper who takes home a 20-inch hatchling is, within a year, responsible for a brawny eight-foot predator.
U.S. Department of the interior, National Park Service. (2013). Endangered Species. Retrieved from website: http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/endangeredspecies/index.cfm
The Channa Argus, also known as the Northern Snakehead, is currently an invasive species in parts of the United States. Its native range includes Korea, China, and Russia; specifically, the Amur River Basin. They primarily live in fresh aquatic water sources and thrive in the northern hemisphere due to the colder temperatures. They are commonly referred to as snakeheads because of their slim bodies and scaly head features (Fuller et al 2017).
These snakes can get very large and have very limited natural predators. Pythons are reproducing very fast, causing competition for food and living space. With the increased competition for living space and food the pythons are ending up in neighborhoods near the park. They also have a large appetite. The number of other wildlife like deer, rabbits, fox and birds are decreasing rapidly because of the pythons. This decrease may cause a repeat effect on all living organisms in the Everglades as the food chain gets disrupted.
In conclusion, the reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park is an excellent example for future conservation efforts in the United States. The successful case shows that there is a need to restore gray wolf populations, in order to ensure optimal ecosystem functions. By observing the effects of the absence of a top predator from Yellowstone Park and the changes that have occurred after reintroduction, more people may be able to conclude that wolf populations are necessary for ecosystem balance and conservation. With this conclusion may come an increase in the future populations of gray wolves along with improved policy and awareness.
Lizards and Snakes size and weight Some Lizards and snakes can only grow to about 10 inches at max. Like, the gecko can only grow to about ten or so inches. Then Come Lizards and Snakes can grow to sixteen feet or so. Komodo dragons can grow to about ten feet long, and whats even crazier is that Anaconda snakes can grow to sixteen
Retrieved March 20th, 2014 from http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/investigations/2014/02/12/wild-animals-exotic-illegal-dangerous-snakes-lions-bears-alligators/5432701/.
They have things like tree snakes and various types of birds. For example, the tree snake adapted to living in the trees to get their food. It can eat things like the elusive flying lizard, also known as the Draco.
Ménez, Andre’. The Subtle Beast: Snakes, from Myth to Medicine. New York, New York: CRC Press, 2003.
National Parks are the cornerstone of every country because it preserves the rich cultural and natural resources of a nation, such as Yellowstone in the United States of America. Yellowstone National Park is the World’s First National Park which brings millions of attraction each year, it is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combine and have over a thousand species of plants and animal (Yellowstone Media). However, a very important type of species has been missing in Yellowstone National Park for a very long time. Wolves, which got reintroduce back into Yellowstone National Park, should stay there because without them the ecosystem would be out of balance.
Grey wolves are a crucial staple to the trophic system in Yellowstone National Park. Trophic systems are comprised of three levels, pray, predator, and plants. In 1920, the entire population of grey wolves were killed off in Yellowstone national park, which launched the avalanche of change in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Some of the changes that occurred during the almost seven decade wolf absence, included a significant population increase of elk, population decrease of beaver, and decreased coverage of tree’s within Yellowstone. (YNP) The killing and disappearance of they wolves caused a ripple of direct and indirect ramifications throughout the entirety of the ecosystem. Grey wolves were nonexistent in Yellowstone national park until the mid 1990’s, where early stages
The Desert Tortoise, native to the Mojave Desert, is a threatened species. On average, the lifespan of a desert tortoise is between eighty and a hundred years. They grow to be about nine to fifteen inches long and four to six inches tall. Sexual maturity is reached at around fifteen years old. The desert tortoise’s habitat ranges from the Mojave desert in Colorado to the northern part of Mexico. With such a large span of habitat, it is hard to imagine that this long-living species are on the verge of becoming endangered. Therefore, it is a threatened species. Threatened is a step under endangered, meaning that a threatened species is a species at risk of becoming endangered.
The Galapagos Island Tortoise or “Giant Tortoise” is a very interesting breed of reptile. They can live up to 1 year without drinking or eating anything because of their internal structure. The tortoise has been put on the endangered species list by the Ecuadorian government since there are less than 15,000 left on the islands. There are a lot of preservation attempts being used to save them, but wild animals and poachers are still threatening the species. Important things to know are what makes them such a special species, why people would hunt them, and what’s being done to save them.