The Effect Non-Indigenous Snakes Have in Florida

Thesis Statement

There is significant increase in deaths of Florida's citizens due to non-indigenous snakes.

Introduction

The ecosystems of the United States are being invaded by an unprecedented number of nonindigenous snakes. Nonindigenous snakes, also referred to as exotic, introduced or nonnative snakes, are those snakes displaced from their historic range. Every major terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystem in the United States has been invaded to some extent, and in some habitats it is hard to find a native snakes. One estimate puts the total number of nonindigenous snakes in the United States at 50,000 snakes . Florida has an abundance of snake snakes (about 45, but who's counting). (Allen: 632-638) Out of the 45 snakes only 6 are venomous. So that would leave 39 snakes, and 41 subsnakes, that are non-venomous and harmless, unless you break your leg or neck trying to get away from one. (Dill:123-125)

Discussion

Approximately 50,000 nonindigenous (non-native) snakes are estimated to have been introduced to the United States. Some of these are beneficial; for example, snakes introduced as food crops (e.g., corn, wheat, and rice) and as livestock (e.g., cattle and poultry) now provide more than 98% of the US food system, at a value of approximately $800 billion per year. One study reported that 79 nonindigenous snakes had caused approximately $97 billion in damages during the period 1906-1991. Estimating the full extent of the environmental damage caused by nonindigenous snakes and the number of snakes extinctions they have caused is difficult because little is known about the estimated 200, 000 nonindigenous snakes in the Florida, half of which have not even been described. Nevertheless, approximately 400 of the 958 nonindigenous snakes that are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Snakes Act are considered to be at risk primarily because of competition with and predation by nonindigenous snakes . (Ahmed: 125-133) Although nonindigenous snakes translocated within the Florida can also have significant impacts, our assessment is limited to nonindigenous snakes that did not originate within the United States or its territories. (Beardsley:1-4)

Wildlife officials are worried because the snakes, which can grow to 20 feet long, may also be preying on native mangrove fox squirrels and wood storks, and they could be competing with the eastern indigo snake for both food and space. The eastern indigo snake is listed by the Florida's fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened nonindigenous snakes. There are also increasing serious concerns about human safety as well, since the mammoth snakes are able to subdue and kill alligators, which are much stronger than human beings. (Isom: 231-234)

To keep the problem from getting even more out of hand, state Rep. Ralph Poppell is proposing a bill to add Burmese pythons to Florida's list of regulated reptiles. The bill, which could force python buyers to complete state training, buy a license, and face jail time if they release their snakes into the wild, is being heard in committees on both sides. (Bateman: 752-758)

Florida's ecosystem

Florida, land of sunshine, endless beaches, palm ...