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.

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[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.

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[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.

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[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?

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[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.

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[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.

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[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, Present

Brahminy Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops braminus 1979 At least 10 years Established

It's my understanding that a species isn't considered "established" unless it breeding and showing signs of population stability or growth.

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.

But were the monitors you caught 2nd or 3rd generation monitors from wild Floridian monitors?

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[RevMojo]

Of course, we need more field herpers tromping through swamps

Just say when...I'll go with ya

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[BWSmith]

But were the monitors you caught 2nd or 3rd generation monitors from wild Floridian monitors?

Well, their hide boxes were pink stucco

I believe you are correct in the definition of "established". I should think that any wild burms found would be removed from the habitat. It seems that tracking nonative species would give us abetter understanding. But by the same token, that would be perpetuating a problem. Another possibility is that eggs are not being noticed as invasive. A nonative snake laying similar sized eggs in an alligator nest are likely to be overlooked. An anaconda in the Okeefanokee could go 10 years without ever being discovered. But also, it may take 10 years, if ever, for a suitable mate to enter the area. **sigh** What if, What if. I will say that outside of Florida, Ihave not caught any non-native species. I have a feeling that there are established populations of many species, particularly in Florida. One night at Mardi Snipes house in Ft lauderdale produced 2 Cane Toads, a Savannah, and a Jackson's Chameleon. I would think that animals that are commonly imported and/or common in the pet trade stand a much higher chance of getting established. Perhaps urban areas need to be looked at closer.

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[natedoggSXE]

Originally Posted by John_White

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

I just wanted to reply to this because I found out this past week, while planning my herp trip to Arizona, that Bull frogs (Rana catesbeiana) are listing as introduced in North America, because they have been introduced to parts for North America where they have not been native too. Example, Arizona. They are native to the Eastern part of the US, but not the western part, which they have been introduced to.

http://www.reptilesofaz.com/PDF-files/THS-bypond.pdf

http://www.reptilesofaz.com/Turtle-A...tesbeiana.html
-2nd paragraph

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[wreckwriter]

Here's a couple articles related to burms in the everglades:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...vespecies.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...verglades.html

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science...s.in.paradise/

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/southf...ewild2004.html

and related to monitor lizards in Florida:

http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readar...id=1662&z=3&p=

http://www.myfwc.com/critters/exotic....asp?SPPNO=291

[BWSmith]

The latest information i have heard is that several feral species are about to be added to the field guide because they have legally become "established".

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[wreckwriter]

Originally Posted by BWSmith

The latest information i have heard is that several feral species are about to be added to the field guide because they have legally become "established".

Know which ones?

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[BWSmith]

I would have to go back and look. Burms are getting close. i think Water Monitor was on there.

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[wreckwriter]

How about baslisks? I found 2 breeding groups in Broward County alone so there must be hundreds.

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[BWSmith]

That is a possibility. I remember several years ago in Ft Lauderdale i found a couple Cane Toads breeding, a savannah monitor and a Jackson's Chameleon in one day.

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[wreckwriter]

Originally Posted by BWSmith

That is a possibility. I remember several years ago in Ft Lauderdale i found a couple Cane Toads breeding, a savannah monitor and a Jackson's Chameleon in one day.

Cane toads and igunanas have reached common status. Haven't seen any monitors or chams here yet.