The Habitat of the Brown Tree Snake

The brown tree snake is a harmful, invasive species. It is masterful at slipping aboard aircraft and has been found on numerous islands outside its native range. This animal has caused irreparable damage to multiple native animal species on Guam. Massive efforts are being taken to stop it from spreading to other islands or countries.

Identification

The Global Invasive Species Database describes brown tree snakes as being yellowish-brown in color, although in Australia they may have alternating blue and white or red and white bands. Their heads are larger than their bodies, and their eyes are large and round with oblong vertical pupils. They can grow to be nearly 10 feet long. Brown tree snakes are venomous, but their venom is weak and is usually only harmful to animals and small children.

Geography

According to the USGS Fort Collins Science Center, brown tree snakes inhabit Indonesia, the islands of Papua New Guinea, Melanesia and the Solomon Islands, as well as the coastal areas of northern and eastern Australia. Although they are not native to Guam, they are found on that island as well. They arrived in Guam during the second world war, when they were accidentally carried in though shipments of military supplies and equipment.

Habitat

Brown tree snakes live in caves, cliffs and forested areas. They can also be found in swamps, farmlands and even in thatched roofs or near farm buildings. They sleep in the trees during the daytime and come out of their hiding places at night to forage for food.

Effect on Wildlife in Guam

In the time since the brown tree snake was introduced on Guam, a number of the island's bird species have been lost to extinction. Washington University indicates that the Rufous fantail, the Mariana fruit dove and the white-throated ground dove began to decline in number during the 1960s, but by the 1980s these species were no longer sighted. In addition to eradicating many of Guam's bird populations, the brown tree snake has also decimated several of the island's native species of bats and lizards.

Habitat Spread

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force explains that brown tree snakes can cause economic and environmental disasters similar to the damage they caused in Guam if they spread to other Pacific islands such as Hawaii. Government organizations such as Hawaii's Brown Tree Snake Control Committee have been established to design ways to eradicate new populations of brown snakes and prevent them from destroying native species. Some of the methods include using dogs to sniff out brown snakes, using barriers to keep the snakes contained in specific areas, and using fumigants to poison existing populations.

References

• USGS Fort Collins Science Center: The Brown Tree Snake on Guam
• Global Invasive Species Database: Boiga irregularis (reptile)
• Washington University: The Effects of the Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) on the Native Birds of Guam
• Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force: Brown Tree Snake Control Plan