Watch out for these poisonous "suddenly invaded" snakes, prudent experts
These potentially dangerous creatures are starting to appear on the west coast.
Whether you are enjoying nature or spending time in your yard, there is always a chancecome on a snake No matter where you live in the United States fortunately, the vast majority is completely harmless, and even those whichend up being poisonous Place any threat if they are left alone. Many residents in regions where there is a known risk of bell snakes, copper, orwater moccasins Also aware of their neighbors who slide and take more care to avoid bothering them accidentally. But now experts warn that there are poisonous snake reports "invading suddenly" certain places. Read the rest to see what new species are made at home in a certain area.
Read this then:Sign n ° 1 there is a snake under your porch.
Climate change moves the habitats of certain species, including snakes.
The animal kingdom is filled with a wild diversity of creatures that wedge every corner of the globe. In many cases, creatures have adapted and evolved to thrive in their native habitats over millions of years. But according to experts, there are times when fauna can end up pushing the limits of its typical place of life.
"Most animal species, at some point in their lives, have hit the road and try to get rid of themselves. This is known by scientists under the name of dispersion", "Charles Van Rees, PHD,Conservation scientist and naturalistic At the University of Georgia, tellsBetter life. "Unless people move them, species appear in new places because of this behavior. Sometimes they have help, for example with favorable winds or ocean currents which move them more or more quickly than 'They cannot travel alone. "
However, this may also include temperature change due to climate change. "While humans change the environment in various ways, we can also make certain hospital zones for animals where they could not have lived before," explains Van Rees.
Venomous sea snakes begin to appear in certain parts of the United States
While they can be in front of your mind when you hike ortake care of your invasive garden, snakes are generally not a major concern for a day at the beach. But according to experts, certain types ofpoisonous sea snakes started to present itself along the Californian coast with an increasing frequency since their first identification in 1972, reports Az Animals.
"A particular species of sea snake - the sea serpent to yellow belly (Hydrophis Platurus) - started to appear with a progressive increasing frequency off the coast of California in recent years, "said Van ReesBetter life. "In 2015, 2016 and 2018, several were found by Beachgoers on the beaches of Laguna and Huntington, among others, in southern California."
The name of the aquatic reptile does not make it difficult to identify the wild. "The Belles -Jaunes are fully aquatic ocean snakes, with a greenish and greenish brown back and a bright yellow belly - hence the name - which serves as aposematic coloring, a warning to the potential predators of their powerful venom", explains Van Rees. "Their tail is flattened and in the shape of a rudder and is creamy white with black spots. They are not particularly large for snakes: males can reach 28 inches and women at 35 inches, so a three feet would be a fairly large one in this species. "
Van Rees adds: "Like other sea snakes, they have extremely toxic venom, so you certainly don't want to be bitten."
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The changing conditions brought the poisonous sea snakes further north than usual.
Experts say that the nomadic nature of the species makes them more likely to test the limits of their traditional habitat, which is already quite large. "The sea to yellow sea snake is the most wandering snake on earth," explains Van Rees. "They perform in the Indian and Pacific Oceans - that is to say Indonesia and Japan in the west coast of Central America - and are the only sea snakes to find in Hawaii, the chain The most isolated island on the planet. is because of their lifestyle: the Belles-Jaunes are what biologists call pelagic, which means that they live in the ocean outdoors throughout the high seas And do not need to stay close to coral reefs or other coastal structures. "AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
"Because of this, they are free to live an ocean life and to move freely as long as the waters are quite hot. In this spirit, it is easy to see how and why they could start to appear further north as soon as the Temperatures are getting hot enough for them, "he explains.
AccordingEmily Taylor, PHD, professor of organic sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and owner ofCentral coast snake services, the species has become "notorious" since its first presence and stresses that there is always one thing in common with observations.
"They live in warmer waters throughout the Pacific Ocean. All the appearances recorded since then took place during the years of El Niño," she saidBetter life, referring toCyclic climate phenomenon This pushes the warmer currents against the north and South American coasts.
Here is what you need to do if you see a sea snake to yellow belly.
Fortunately, like their terrestrial brothers, sea snakes do not represent an immediate security threat as long as you take the appropriate precautions. "The sea snake to yellow belly is not a danger to people if it is left alone," explains Van ReesBetter life. "These snakes are not known to be aggressive in water and have small mouths and fangs that do not facilitate people to bite", adding that no death has ever been reported to the species.
Taylor should see more snakes is not a sign, you must cancel your beach plans. "This is something that will happen rarely, but it will become more common with the increase in sea temperatures," she saidBetter life. "Surfers will not be surrounded by a bunch of sea snakes: if you see one, they will probably see it on the beach. Most of them were washing are cold, and they do not survive. ""
Experts also say that the best course of action when he came across a maritime snake is the same as on earth. "They are dangerously poisonous, but they are not a threat because they don't bite you unless you love one," said Taylor. Instead, she advises to take a photo and use it to report it to the local authorities for potential identification.
Unfortunately, the appearance of the snake is probably the sign of a much more important problem. "The real problem here is ecological," warns Van Rees, referring toIncrease in global sea temperatures Due to climate change. “Warming of oceans does not only mean that fresh tropical animals will continue to visit and grow on our beaches. Water warming water means that a lot about our oceans are already changing and fast. This could mean harmful algae flowers, the disappearance of the disappearance of beloved fauna, fisheries crash or other problems. Although these snakes do not harm anyone, they are the symptom of a much more important change that will not make us any favor. ""