There’s a new snake in town and it’s not welcomed with open arms. The snake which is native to Central and South America is called the Everglades snail kite. It’s a large predatory bird that feeds primarily on snails. And it’s been spotted in the Everglades for the first time.
The snail kite was first seen in the Everglades in December 2016. It was observed preying on native Apple snails which are a vital food source for the endangered Everglades kite. Since then there have been several sightings of the snail kite in the Everglades and it’s likely that the population will continue to grow.
TheEverglades is home to a variety of unique wildlife and the introduction of the snail kite could have a devastating impact on the delicate ecosystem. The Everglades is already struggling to recover from the effects of human development and the last thing it needs is another invasive species.
The snail kite is just one of many invasive species that have been introduced to the Everglades. Others include the Burmese python the Nile monitor and the lionfish. All of these animals have wreaked havoc on the Everglades ecosystem and the snail kite is likely to do the same.
If you see a snail kite in the Everglades please report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Together we can help protect the Everglades from this destructive invader.
What is the name of the snake that is invading the Everglades?
The name of the snake is the Burmese python.
What is the native habitat of the Burmese python?
The native habitat of the Burmese python is Southeast Asia.
How did the Burmese python arrive in the Everglades?
The Burmese python arrived in the Everglades through the pet trade.
What is the size of an adult Burmese python?
An adult Burmese python can grow to be 18 feet long.
What is the size of a newborn Burmese python?
A newborn Burmese python is about 2 feet long.
How fast can a Burmese python grow?
A Burmese python can grow up to 10 inches per year.
How many eggs does a female Burmese python lay?
A female Burmese python can lay up to 100 eggs.
What is the incubation period for Burmese python eggs?
The incubation period for Burmese python eggs is about 60 days.
What is the average lifespan of a Burmese python?
The average lifespan of a Burmese python is about 20 years.
What do Burmese pythons eat?
Burmese pythons are apex predators and will eat just about anything they can fit into their mouths including mammals birds and reptiles.
What is the impact of the Burmese python on the Everglades ecosystem?
The impact of the Burmese python on the Everglades ecosystem has been devastating.
These snakes have no natural predators in this environment and have been known to eat alligators birds and small mammals.
This has led to a decline in the populations of these animals.
What is being done to control the population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades?
The state of Florida has instituted a hunting program to help control the population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades.
This program allows specially trained hunters to remove these snakes from the wild.
What are the challenges of controlling the population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades?
The challenges of controlling the population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades include the fact that these snakes are very good at hiding and are hard to find.
In addition they are very good swimmers and can travel long distances.
What else is being done to control the population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades?
In addition to the hunting program Florida has also put into place a ban on the import and sale of these snakes.
What are the potential consequences of the Burmese python invasion of the Everglades?
The potential consequences of the Burmese python invasion of the Everglades include the further decline of native wildlife populations and the spread of these snakes to other parts of the country.
