Boiga irregularis
(Reptiles-Snakes)
brown tree snake
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Boiga irregularis
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The brown tree snake ("BTS"; Boiga irregularis) is a nocturnal venomous snake that has the potential to create serious ecological and economic harm if introduced to areas where it is not native. The brown tree snake has infamously devastated native (and other) bird populations on Guam, as well as populations of native bats and lizards. On Guam, the brown tree snake also causes frequent power outages (by short-circuiting lines by crossing transformers), causing millions of dollars in damage and downtime. Hundreds of emergency room admittances are due to brown tree snake bites, some requiring use of respiratory equipment to treat. It is possible that brown tree snake bites could cause respiratory failure in infants. The brown tree snake has the potential to cause the same problems in other areas--particularly now-snake-free islands, such as in Hawaii--if strict quarantine measures are not perpetually enforced. The brown tree snake is NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN to be established in Hawaii, although several snakes have been apprehended at airports (typically associated with military flights from Guam).
Brown treesnake information from USDA APHIS
Brown tree snake biology, impacts, and prevention measures are provided by the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS, 2001)
The brown tree snake, article from Wikipedia
The behavior, venom, and spread of the brown tree snake are reviewed in this Wikipedia article. Wikipedia articles are written, edited, and reviewed collaboratively by volunteers.
USDA/APHIS brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) information
Information on the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is provided by USDA/APHIS.
USDA/APHIS brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) fact sheet
Information on the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is provided by USDA/APHIS in this fact sheet.
Brown tree snake, species profile from USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
A brief overview of Boiga irregularis and many useful links are on this page from the NISIC.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): ecology info from GISD (ISSG)
online
Boiga irregularis description and ecology from GISD (ISSG)
A species description and information about the ecology of Boiga irregularis as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Brown tree snake overview (James Cook University)
Description, biology, and behavior of the brown tree snake are presented (2001).
Brown treesnake information from USDA APHIS
Brown tree snake biology, impacts, and prevention measures are provided by the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS, 2001)
Review of brown treesnake problems and control programs: Report of observations and recommendations (March 2005)
The brown treesnake's environmental and socioeconomic impacts on Guam and threats to Pacific Basin communities are covered in this extensive (67 p) review prepared at the request of the U.S. Department of Interior, for the Brown Treesnake Control Committee.
Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review
and draft regional strategy (2000)
The status of invasive plants, vertebrates, arthropods, molluscs, and crustaceans, and options for a regional invasive species strategy for the South Pacific are presented in this series of articles from the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 2000.
This bird only exists in captivity
The brown tree snake has eliminated wild populations of the Micronesian kingfisher, a bird native to Guam (9news, 11/17/2007).
Invasive predators: A synthesis of the past,
present, and future
Effects of various invasive predators on prey populations are described in a synthesis from USDA APHIS.
Invasive species introduction as a threat to national security (including summary of the effects of the introduction to Guam of the brown tree snake [Boiga irregularis])
The Pest Risk Assessment for Importation of Solid Wood Packing Materials into the United States is a comprehensive full text report available online.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) impacts, HI DLNR
Impacts of the brown tree snake on Guam are presented by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Brown treesnake, or BTS (Boiga irregularis) information from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC).
Description, impacts, and images of brown treesnake are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.
Stop the brown tree snake!
This brochure--"Stop the brown tree snake!"--contains information from Hawaii Department of Agriculture about prevention and potential impacts of snakes in Hawaii.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): impact info from GISD (ISSG)
Information about impacts of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) in non-native environments is provided in the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) from IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Boiga irregularis impact information from GISD (ISSG)
Impact information regarding Boiga irregularis as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Saipan bridled white-eyes released on Sarigan
The Nosa, a unique endemic Mariana bird that only occurs on a few of the Mariana Islands, was translocated to Sarigan island since becoming extinct on Guam due to the brown treesnake (Saipan Tribune, 5/9/2007).
Control and containment of the brown treesnake on Guam
Information about control and containment of the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) on Guam is provided by the USGS Fort Collins Science Center.
Control and Containment Efforts on the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Hawaii, and Other Island Governments
Information about control and containment of the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) on the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Hawaii, and other islands is provided by the USGS Fort Collins Science Center.
Strumigenys godeffroyi information from Antweb
Information about the ant Strumigenys godeffroyi--including images of specimens--is available online from Antweb (California Academy of Science).
Brown tree snake program in Hawaii
Dogs are used to detect brown tree snakes on planes arriving from Guam into Hawaii.
Brown tree snake prevention programs
Public education and more extensive inspection of aircraft arriving in Hawaii are part of the efforts to keep Hawaii free of the brown tree snake.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): management info from GISD (ISSG)
Nomenclatural information about Ossaea marginata is provided by ITIS.
Boiga irregularis management information from GISD (ISSG)
Management information for Boiga irregularis as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Brown tree snake sighting triggers funding
A brown snake spotted in the area of a Guam transport arriving at Hawaii's Hickam Air Force Base has raised awareness of the threat of brown tree snakes to Hawaii and triggered federal funding for anti-snake measures (Alan Holt, The Nature Conservancy, 1997).
Stop the brown tree snake!
This brochure--"Stop the brown tree snake!"--contains information from Hawaii Department of Agriculture about prevention and potential impacts of snakes in Hawaii.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): management info from GISD (ISSG)
Nomenclatural information about Ossaea marginata is provided by ITIS.
Brown tree snake images
Kazuo Ogata and Mamoru Terayama
Boiga irregularis - brown tree snake (Colubridae - Squamata)
Images, web sites, news articles, blog entries, videos, and books are compiled by google on this Reptiles and Amphibians of Hawaii site.
Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review
and draft regional strategy (2000)
The status of invasive plants, vertebrates, arthropods, molluscs, and crustaceans, and options for a regional invasive species strategy for the South Pacific are presented in this series of articles from the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 2000.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): distribution info from GISD (ISSG)
public domain
Boiga irregularis worldwide distribution from GISD (ISSG)
Worldwide distribution information about Boiga irregularis is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
A field guide to reptiles and amphibians in the Hawaiian Islands
McKeown, Sean. 1996. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians in the Hawaiian Islands. Diamond Head Publishing, Inc. 172 pp. Illus. ISBN: 0-9650731-0-6.
Military expansion increases risk of brown tree snake infestation in Pacific
The increased military presence on Guam has proportionately increased the risk of brown tree snake infestations throughout the Pacific region, hence the need to beef up efforts to control the invasion of this creature which poses a threat to the islands' ecosystem, according to Micronesian leaders (Marianas Variety, 11/19/2007).
This bird only exists in captivity
The brown tree snake has eliminated wild populations of the Micronesian kingfisher, a bird native to Guam (9news, 11/17/2007).
Safeguards pushed vs. spread of brown tree snake
Micronesian leaders asked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to support inspections of all military vessels and cargo departing Guam to reduce the spread of brown tree snakes (Saipan Tribune, 11/17/2007).
Pentagon urged to ensure measures vs spread of brown tree snakes
Micronesian requested U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates implement a policy that will ensure brown tree snakes are not spread to the islands while the military does its business in the region (Marianas Variety 11/16/3007).
If vigilant, Hawaii could avoid Guam's big problem with brown tree snake
Brown tree snake is the topic of the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) Kiai Moku Maui News column (11/11/2007).
Snakes in the grass on Maui?
Snake sightings on Maui have alarmed wildlife scientists and catalyzed training sessions (Maui News, 11/23/1997).
Brown tree snake articles from Pacific Daily News (Guam)
A link is provided to search the Pacific Daily News (Guam) for brown tree snake articles.
Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review and draft regional strategy
South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP). Sherley, Greg (ed.) . 2000. Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review and draft regional strategy. Apia, Samoa: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. ISBN: 982-04-0214-X.
Turning the tide: The eradication of invasive species (proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives)
Veitch, C.R. and M.N. Clout (eds.) . 2002. Turning the tide: The eradication of invasive species (proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives). IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. vii + 414pp. ISBN: 2-8317-0682-3.
An updated, indexed bibliography of the herpetofauna of Florida
Enge, Kevin M. 2002. An updated, indexed bibliography of the herpetofauna of Florida. Technical report no. 19.
Brown tree snake fact sheet from US Fish and Wildlife Service
Incidents of Boiga irregularis interceptions in Hawaii are among the facts compiled by the Invasive Species Division of the USFWS (2004).
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): expert contact info from GISD (ISSG)
USDA/ITIS (http://www.itis.usda.gov/)
Boiga irregularis references from GISD (ISSG)
References regarding Boiga irregularis as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
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| The content of this page is based on information last generated on 03 November 2009 by PT. The template for this page was created on 15 March 2004 by EMS, and was last updated on 20 February 2006 by PT. |
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