New Article: African Rock Pythons in Florida

What are the 45 non-native herps that have established breeding colonies? I knew there was a few, but I didn't realise the situation was that bad!

:p

Hix
 
Hi,

Amazing goings on there. This site lists herps and other animals...not complete, especially as to fishes, but a good start. Check out other categories for surprises - elk, capybara; Inverts not included (life's work for someone I'm sure!)

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Exotic-Amphibians-Reptiles-Florida-Meshaka/dp/1575240424/ref=pd_rhf_p_img_1"]This book[/ame] is a useful resource also.

Here's an article I wrote on Florida's introduced parrots.

Let me know what you think, Enjoy, Frank
 
Interesting articles Findi. I have a question although it is more parrot related. A very new development (but controversial) in conservation is the idea that ecosystems can be "repaired" by replacing extinct species of the ecosystem by their counterpart from another region. The main place where this is being tried is Round Island near Mauritius, where Aldabra tortoises were introduced to take over the role which was played by the native Mauritius species which are extinct now. And as it seem to be successful the idea is now to go a step further.

Would you see one of the feral parrot species taking over the role of the extinct carolina parrot (starting in Florida but moving up north in a later phase) and which species would be in your eyes the best suited (maybe one of the Aratinga species).
(I can also imagine the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission getting an heart-attack by hearing this idea, but as said some very prominent conservationists like Dr Carl Jones actually started to implement it).
 
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Hi,

Thanks for the kind words. Very interesting concept; I was involved in something along similar lines years ago...Guam Rails were released on a nearby island where a related rail had become extinct; I've read a bit on Mauritius also, at least 1 tree no longer reproduces as seeds need to pass through gut of Dodo Bird before germinating (experiments with chemically treating the seeds being considered?).

I think there may be potential on small islands, especially if relatively undeveloped, but the US Eastern Seaboard is such a huge area with so many introduced species and physical changes; legalities aside, I can't envision a way of working it out.

Monk parrots are well-established throughout the Carolina's former range and beyond; many people enjoy seeing them but wildlife agencies consider them pests, remove nests and all, and several states are considering outlawing future sales. They fill a very different niche than,did the Caroline...it was such a unique species; I doubt there is a similar one; even cold-tolerant species would not likely establish its migration patterns, etc...but hard to say. I believe that the type of thinking you mention is essential today, there are few "untouched' habitats, and radical strategies will be needed.

You might enjoy these article on Monk Parrots and Florida's Introduced Parrots (please feel free to post comments there as well, as it reaches many people with similar interests).

best, Frank
 
findi said:
at least 1 tree no longer reproduces as seeds need to pass through gut of Dodo Bird before germinating (experiments with chemically treating the seeds being considered?).
Click to expand...

Yeah, that was a theory proposed in the '70s by ornithologist Stanley Temple - it's a nice story that really brings home the conservation message of screwing with one species and affecting another completely unrelated species. Unfortunately it's not true, and the Temple hypothesis has been debunked numerous times. A google search on the Tambalacoque Tree (Sideroxylon grandiflorum) will tell you all you need to know.

:p

Hix
 
Great to know, thanks very much for the info...I've been guilty of mentioning the story in passing, but do add a (?); well, certainly enough true stories to spark people into action, I hope, Best, Fran
 
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