U.S. Snake Trivia

[John_White]

1) Name the only species of North American rattlesnake where the males bite each other during male combat.

2) How many lungs do snakes have:
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) none of the above
e) all of the above

3) Name the two non-native species of snake that have been introduced to the U.S. and now have established populations.

4) Name the only marine snake species native to the U.S.

5) Most U.S. snake species are considered terrestrial, name the seven genera that contain semi-aquatic species.

[Ed_r]

OK I'll bite . don't laugh too hard.

1) Western Diamondback

2) A 1

3) Burmese Pythons, Indian cobras?

4)No clue

5) watersnakes, garter snakes, cottonmouths, EDB, crayfish snake, mud snakes, no clue

	Cottonmouth Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as a Water Moccasin.

[John_White]

Good try Ed! I added some hints in bold


1) Name the only species of North American rattlesnake where the males bite each other during male combat. Hint: Western species

2) How many lungs do snakes have:
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) none of the above
e) all of the above

3) Name the two non-native species of snake that have been introduced to the U.S. and now have established populations.

Hint: Many people here own this species

4) Name the only marine snake species native to the U.S.
Hint: Western species

5) Most U.S. snake species are considered terrestrial, name the seven genera that contain semi-aquatic species.

[BWSmith]

Good questions John.

1.. Crotalus viridis? (just a guess)

2. 2 (but use one)

3. Burms and Indian Cobras have established populations in the everglades. I would guess Ball pythons as well. Of course they also caught the occasional Gaboon and Spitter outside of Crutchfields

4. Yellow Ballied Sea Sanke

5. Nerodia, Thamnophis, Farancia, Regina, perhaps agkistrodon. That is all i can think of off the top of my head.

[John_White]

BW, Great job!


1) Name the only species of North American rattlesnake where the males bite each other during male combat.
Answer: Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)

2) How many lungs do snakes have:
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) none of the above
e) all of the above

Answer: e) All snakes have a large right lung, many species have a small left one. In many species a new lunglike structure has evolved from the wall of the trachea anterior to the heart. This new lunglike structure has simple vascularized sacs with some alveoli just like the "normal" lung(s).

3) Name the two non-native species of snake that have been introduced to the U.S. and now have established populations.

Answers: Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor)
Brahminy Blindsnake (Ramphotyphlops braminus)

*Note: Could not find documentation supporting established populations of Burms or Indian Cobras in the U.S.

4) Name the only marine species native to the U.S

Answer: Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus)


5) Most U.S. species are considered terrestrial, name the seven genera that contain semi-aquatic species.

Answers: Agkistrodon
Clonophis
Farancia
Nerodia
Regina
Seminatrix
Thamnophis

[BWSmith]

What about Boiga irregularis as an established introduced species?

[John_White]

The brown tree snake has the potential of becoming establish in Florida and Hawaii, but so far (according to my references) it has not happened yet.

[BWSmith]

From the USGS:

Of the documented 53 established non-native amphibian and reptile species (Table), at least 5--spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), marine toad (Bufo marinus), African clawed frog (xenopus laevis), bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)--have been established at least 30 years and have been sufficiently monitored to enable preliminary assessment of impacts on the native biota.

From State of Florida:

Snakes
Javan Filesnake Acrochordus javanicus 1970s Not reported breeding Unknown

Common Boa Boa constrictor 1990 Less than 10 years Potentially Established

Burmese Python Python molurus bivittatus 1980s Not reported breeding Not Established, Present

Brahminy Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops braminus 1979 At least 10 years Established

Texas A&M lists introduced species as Boiga dendrophilia, Boiga irregularis, Boa Constrictor and Python reticularis.


Most of the information was ambiguous and little is really known. I have found Savanaah Monitors in FL.
Of course, we need more field herpers tromping through swamps.

[John_White]

Of the documented 53 established non-native amphibian and reptile species (Table), at least 5--spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), marine toad (Bufo marinus), African clawed frog (xenopus laevis), bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)--have been established at least 30 years and have been sufficiently monitored to enable preliminary assessment of impacts on the native biota.

bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) ? What bullfrogs are native to the eastern U.S.

My reference: Ernst, Carl H. & Evelyn M. 2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. 668 pages. lists the Boiga irregularis as a potential threat. May be it depends on which islands one considers part of the U.S. Or perhaps Carl doesn't want to admit defeat.

From State of Florida:
Snakes
Javan Filesnake Acrochordus javanicus 1970s Not reported breeding Unknown

Common Boa Boa constrictor 1990 Less than 10 years Potentially Established

Burmese Python Python molurus bivittatus 1980s Not reported breeding Not Established,