This article caught my eye because it was talking about invasive species, a subject that we just covered in the class. It also caught my eye because it mentioned the everglades as a place that is being potentially threatened by these pythons, which we have learned from the class is a hugely important ecosystem. It also demonstrates how human interference in an environment can push it to the brink of destruction even with the most innocent intentions.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
FLORIDA DOESNT LIKE GIANT SNAKES
The article that I used for this week's current event detailed the current invasion of several different invasive species of snakes that threaten the Floridian ecosystem. The U.S Geological Survey recently released a report that stated that if these species are allowed to multiply they could potentially destroy some of America's most important parks and wilderness areas. These snakes are dangerous because they destroy entire populations of bird species and rodent species in a single area in a very fast amount of time. What is most interesting is that these snakes were accidently released into the environment by pet-owners who bought the snakes when they were still manageable, but then allowed to escape when they became large an uncontrollable. The species most threatening is a kind of Burmese python, of which there is thought to be tens of thousands in the everglades alone.
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This is very interesting in a good way, because I like the topic that ties snakes with Florida, and how you incorporated what we have talked about in class recently into it. Good job.
ReplyDeleteHumans introducing new species into an environment has been a common act in recent years. Sometimes it is for the best, and other, it corrupts the environment. I for one do not like snakes, so hopefully they will be able to come up with a solution for the snake problem.
ReplyDelete-Taylor Neuburg
I like how you involve the point that the snake is an invasive species. I also find this interesting because if this snake is seen as dangerous and needs to be controlled, why hasn't Florida tried to control other snake populations that are just as dangerous? There are definately threatening and poisonous snakes in the Everglades other than this snake than may be even more dangerous and potentially life-threatening to humans. Are these python controllers going to try and control other snake species in the future?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not a huge fan of snakes, I do believe they are beautitful creatures and provide essential balances to our ecosytems. We've been studying invasive species and as these snaked risk feasting on tiny creatures into extinction, these slithery reptiles are a perfect example of an intrusion upon a prexisting ecosystem. However Mrs. George has shown us many a graph that have shown species interacting with one another that some species have the ability to even out and find a balance between predator and prey. Such proved the graph on page 112 with the reindeer and their food source. Rodents will be plentiful until these snakes eat the most available and substanial; some species of rodents may ever become exinct but as the food source drops, so will the massive numbers of these snakes. Hopefully that balance will occur in time, before we lose the cute, cuddly, ever-so-tasteful food source to these foreign reptiles.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Channing. If there are other species of snakes out there that are just as dangerous, then why isn't Florida doing anything about them. Just because the python is well known, does not mean that there are not any snakes in Florida that are just as dangerous. I think Florida should try and get rid of those species in the least harmful way as possible. These creatures should not be disturbed or hurt in any way just because they are dangerous.
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