Brown Tree Snake
Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) is a species of arboreal snake native to the islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It has been accidentally introduced to the island of Guam, where it has had a devastating impact on the local ecosystem, causing the extinction of several native bird species and causing power outages by climbing power lines. The snake is considered an invasive species and efforts are being made to control its population on Guam.
Brown Tree Snake Facts
- The Brown Tree Snake is native to the islands of the western Pacific Ocean, including parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.
- It is a nocturnal, arboreal snake that can grow to be up to 10 feet in length.
- The snake is known for its aggressive behavior, and can be dangerous to humans if cornered or threatened.
- In the late 1940s, the Brown Tree Snake was accidentally introduced to the island of Guam, likely as a stowaway on cargo ships.
- Since then, the snake has had a devastating impact on the local ecosystem, causing the extinction of several native bird species and reducing the population of others.
- The snake is also a major threat to the island’s power grid, as it is known to climb power lines and cause outages.
- The snake is considered an invasive species and efforts are being made to control its population on Guam, including the use of snake-sniffing dogs and the release of predators such as the Micronesian mongoose.
Scientific Name and Classification
The scientific name for the Brown Tree Snake is Boiga irregularis. It is a species of snake that belongs to the family Colubridae, which is a large and diverse group of snakes that includes many common species found throughout the world. The genus Boiga to which it belongs, is a group of arboreal snakes found in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australasia. The species name “irregularis” refers to its irregular or uneven dorsal pattern, which is a characteristic feature of the species.
Appearance
The Brown Tree Snake is a long, slender snake that can grow up to 10 feet in length. It has a brown or gray body with a distinctive, irregular pattern of darker and lighter bands running along the length of its dorsal surface. The coloration can vary from light brown to almost black, and the pattern can be more or less pronounced depending on the individual snake. It has large, round eyes with vertical pupils, which help it to see in low light conditions. The snake has a pointed snout and a long, thin tail. The scales of the snake are smooth and glossy, and it has a relatively thin body. Juvenile Brown Tree Snakes are similar in appearance to adults but are smaller and have a more distinct pattern.
Behavior
The Brown Tree Snake is a nocturnal and arboreal species, which means it is active at night and primarily lives in trees. During the day, it will typically rest in a concealed location, such as in a hollow tree or a dense thicket of foliage.
The snake is known for its aggressive behavior, and can be dangerous to humans if cornered or threatened. They can also bite if they feel threatened.
The Brown Tree Snake is an opportunistic hunter and will eat a wide variety of prey, including birds, lizards, bats, and small mammals. They are also known to eat eggs and insects. They are constrictors, and will wrap their body around their prey to suffocate it before swallowing it whole.
The snake is also known for its ability to climb, which allows it to move easily through the trees and to access bird nests and other potential prey. This also enables them to climb power lines and cause power outages.
The Brown Tree Snake is a solitary species and will only come into contact with others of its kind during the mating season. Females will lay eggs in concealed locations, such as in hollow trees or among dense vegetation. Once the eggs hatch, the young snakes are independent and will not receive any care from their parents.
Habitat
The Brown Tree Snake is native to the islands of the western Pacific Ocean, including parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. They are found primarily in tropical and subtropical forests, but can also be found in other habitats such as mangrove swamps and coconut groves. They are an arboreal species, and will typically live in the trees and other high places, but can be found on the ground occasionally.
The snake was accidentally introduced to the island of Guam, likely as a stowaway on cargo ships in the 1940s, and since then has been able to establish on the island. On Guam they can be found in both urban and rural areas, and have been known to climb power lines and enter homes.
Due to the invasive nature of this species, their populations are now controlled in Guam, and their habitat is limited to specific areas.
Diet
The Brown Tree Snake is an opportunistic hunter and will eat a wide variety of prey, including birds, lizards, bats, small mammals, and even fish. They are also known to eat eggs and insects. They are constrictors, and will wrap their body around their prey to suffocate it before swallowing it whole.
On the island of Guam, where the species has been introduced, it has been known to prey on native birds and their eggs, leading to declines in bird populations and even extinctions. The snake also preys on lizards, including the native skink, and has been known to eat small mammals such as rats and shrews.
Brown Tree Snakes are able to eat prey larger than their own head by unhinging their lower jaw, which allows them to stretch their mouth wide open. Their diet on Guam is different than their native range diet because of the lack of certain prey species.
Due to their invasive nature and the impact on native wildlife, control measures are in place to reduce their population on Guam, this includes reducing their food sources by removing rats, which is one of their main food sources.
Predators, Threats, Conservation, and Population
The Brown Tree Snake has few natural predators in its native range, and is able to thrive in a variety of habitats. However, in the island of Guam, where it has been accidentally introduced, it has no natural predators and has been able to establish itself and reproduce at high rates.
The main threat to the Brown Tree Snake population is human activity, as it has been introduced to an ecosystem where it has no natural predators, and it has been able to reproduce at high rates. This has led to declines in native bird and lizard populations, as well as power outages caused by the snakes climbing power lines.
In Guam, conservation efforts are in place to control and reduce the population of the Brown Tree Snake. This includes trapping and removing snakes, as well as efforts to reduce their food sources, such as removing rats. Barrier fences have also been installed at ports and airports to prevent the snake from spreading to other islands.
As for the population, it’s hard to estimate the population of the Brown Tree Snake on Guam, but it is believed that the population is high. In their native range, their population is considered to be stable, but in Guam the population is considered to be invasive and efforts are being made to decrease the population.
Read Also: Black Mamba
FAQ
What is the Brown Tree Snake?
The Brown Tree Snake is a species of snake native to the islands of the western Pacific Ocean, including parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. They are known for their aggressive behavior and their ability to climb, which allows them to move easily through the trees and to access bird nests and other potential prey.
What does the Brown Tree Snake look like?
The Brown Tree Snake is a long, slender snake that can grow up to 10 feet in length. It has a brown or gray body with a distinctive, irregular pattern of darker and lighter bands running along the length of its dorsal surface. It has large, round eyes with vertical pupils, a pointed snout and a long, thin tail.
What is the behavior of the Brown Tree Snake?
The Brown Tree Snake is a nocturnal and arboreal species, which means it is active at night and primarily lives in trees. It is known for its aggressive behavior and can be dangerous to humans if cornered or threatened. The snake is an opportunistic hunter and will eat a wide variety of prey including birds, lizards, bats, and small mammals.
Where does the Brown Tree Snake live?
The Brown Tree Snake is native to the islands of the western Pacific Ocean, including parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. They are found primarily in tropical and subtropical forests, but can also be found in other habitats such as mangrove swamps and coconut groves. They were also accidentally introduced to the island of Guam, where they can be found in both urban and rural areas.
What is the diet of the Brown Tree Snake?
The Brown Tree Snake is an opportunistic hunter and will eat a wide variety of prey, including birds, lizards, bats, small mammals, and even fish. They are also known to eat eggs and insects.
What are the threats to the Brown Tree Snake?
In their native range, the Brown Tree Snake has few natural predators, and is able to thrive in a variety of habitats. However, in the island of Guam, where it has been accidentally introduced, it has no natural predators and has been able to establish itself and reproduce at high rates. The main threat to the Brown Tree Snake population is human activity as it has led to declines in native bird and lizard populations, as well as power outages caused by the snakes climbing power lines.
What are the conservation efforts for the Brown Tree Snake?
In Guam, conservation efforts are in place to control and reduce the population of the Brown Tree Snake. This includes trapping and removing snakes, as well as efforts to reduce their food sources, such as removing rats. Barrier fences have also been installed at ports and airports to prevent the snake from spreading to other islands.
