| 4723041 |
brown tree snake |
Boiga irregularis |
The Island of Guam had no snakes of any kind until this species was introduced, probably during the American invasion of Guam in 1944. War material (tanks, trucks, howitzers etc.) were moved to Guam from the New Guinea and Solomon Islands campaigns, and it is likely that some snakes were aboard the equipment. They now number in the millions on Guam, and have been responsible for the extirpation of ten native bird species. This captive snake is about 8 feet long. Brown tree snakes are rear-fang poisonous, and not dangerous to humans larger than baby size. Ca. 1987. |
