Commentary: Introduction Of Unwelcommed Guest
July 17th 2007 22:25
It seems that mankind is blamed for the woes of the planet that are caused by natural phenominum. But mankind does not take the blame when a real environmental problem occurs do to stupidity. Nothing damages the environment more than when man introduces a foreign species into it.
In nature most species are established and balanced. When a 'foreign' guest is introduced, although it may not be noticeable at first, the ecology begins to suffer in some way. If the species is a predator and does not encounter resistance, this will take a toll on the established predators that have less food. If the species is a prey, then they may propagate and cause destruction, because established predators don't recognise their prey or are overwhelmed by it.
I've dedicated most of my life to herpetiles(a naturalists term for both reptiles and amphibians especially in the pet trade) and I know the adaptability of these cold-blooded creatures. Reptiles, especially, can adapt to climates that are foreign to them. A snake that escapes in Alaska will be able to survive a lifetime as long as prey and water are available. The heat comes from human dwellings. People can live with a snake for ever and never know it. Sad but true!
People who often buy baby snakes tend to freak when said snake grows to multiple feet. Sometimes they release it in the wild, but I believe that snakes, being great escape artists, tend to escape. I seen it happen many times in my area alone. Most go unreported and are done in the cover of night.
This may be news to you, but I've seen this and done that in Upstate New York!
In nature most species are established and balanced. When a 'foreign' guest is introduced, although it may not be noticeable at first, the ecology begins to suffer in some way. If the species is a predator and does not encounter resistance, this will take a toll on the established predators that have less food. If the species is a prey, then they may propagate and cause destruction, because established predators don't recognise their prey or are overwhelmed by it.
I've dedicated most of my life to herpetiles(a naturalists term for both reptiles and amphibians especially in the pet trade) and I know the adaptability of these cold-blooded creatures. Reptiles, especially, can adapt to climates that are foreign to them. A snake that escapes in Alaska will be able to survive a lifetime as long as prey and water are available. The heat comes from human dwellings. People can live with a snake for ever and never know it. Sad but true!
People who often buy baby snakes tend to freak when said snake grows to multiple feet. Sometimes they release it in the wild, but I believe that snakes, being great escape artists, tend to escape. I seen it happen many times in my area alone. Most go unreported and are done in the cover of night.
This may be news to you, but I've seen this and done that in Upstate New York!
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