Boiga
|
The Boigas and Mangrove snakes form genus Boiga, which is a group of rear-fanged colubrid snakes that has spread throughout Asia, the Indo-pacific islands and Australia. They are generally arboreal, nocturnal, and have large eyes. Their venom's potency varies by species, and some can be dangerous, though no lethal bites have yet been recorded.
One of the most prolific species is Boiga irregularis, the Brown Tree Snake. Normally native to Australia and Indonesia, this snake is a versatile arboreal predator that can reach up to 8 feet long and has potent venom that can cause major medical effects in children. Some time during the 1950s, these snakes (or possibly a single female with eggs) reached the island of Guam via human activity, possibly having hidden in imported plant pots. The island of Guam lacks native snakes or predators that can deal with snakes the size and aggressiveness of the Brown Tree snake. As a result, the snakes bred unchecked as an invasive species, and began consuming the island's bird life in astonishing numbers. Currently, dozens of bird species have been completely eradicated from the island, many found nowhere else on earth, and the snake has reached astonishing population densities, reported to be as high as 15,000 snakes per square mile. In addition to devouring the native fauna, this species will routinely crawl into power transformers, and, unfortunately for all involved, this typically results in both an electrocuted snake and substantial blackouts.