California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Islands

Press clippings from around the world.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
Brian Hubbs
Posts: 4735
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
Location: "Buy My Books"-land

California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Islands

Post by Brian Hubbs »

Here is an interesting article about the problem of introduced Cal Kings on Gran Canaria Island off the coast of North Africa and what the officials are doing to control them (albinos and hets). I just happen to be mentioned several times in the article...well, my kingsnake book is mentioned anyway... :lol:

http://www.issg.org/pdf/aliens_newsletters/A32.pdf
User avatar
ratsnakehaven
Posts: 2272
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 9:08 am
Location: Southern Arizona

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by ratsnakehaven »

That was interesting, Brian. Thanks!

TC
User avatar
Brian Hubbs
Posts: 4735
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
Location: "Buy My Books"-land

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by Brian Hubbs »

What's even more interesting is how Scott seems to shuffle anything interesting or important to some forum that few ever look at...WTF?
User avatar
axeman2729
Posts: 445
Joined: November 5th, 2012, 2:10 pm
Location: Cranberry township, PA

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by axeman2729 »

hahah^
User avatar
Jimmy_77
Posts: 129
Joined: June 9th, 2010, 12:24 am
Location: Sweden

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by Jimmy_77 »

IndigoBlue wrote:From the paper:
Also, the increased numbers will quite possibly impact the local reptilian population to the point where we see their total disappearance
I am curious why they think that those kingsnakes will decimate the local reptiles. What are they basing this from? Do California Kingsnakes in their native range do the same? :lol:
Well maybe because there are NO native snake species at all on Gran Canaria, but plenty of Skinks and Lacertid Lizards, that were endangered already before the introduction of Kingsnakes? I dont know, maybe there is a chance that the Kingsnakes will feed on a lizard or two, and since snakes arent present on the Island historically, theres really no natural snakepredator to control their advance?
Just a wild crazy guess! :beer: :beer:
btskanks
Posts: 47
Joined: June 20th, 2010, 8:37 am

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by btskanks »

They are killing them post capture, why can't they just deport them like other illegals like back to california. I know they cannot release to wild but maybe adopt via pet stores? Just seems kinda sad i've had so many as "pets". Its not like they are pissy brown tree snakes, i know i are stupid!
User avatar
Nir
Posts: 220
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 6:50 pm
Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by Nir »

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I wonder, if the kingsnake population was left untouched for some time, would the wild phenotype regain the majority over albinos.

I am guessing the albinos are numerous because most of the kingsnakes released were albinos.

It is an interesting case.
User avatar
Kelly Mc
Posts: 4529
Joined: October 18th, 2011, 1:03 pm

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by Kelly Mc »

The Gallotia are a unique insular sp, their courtship, social, and ground level plant foraging behaviors have all been influenced /enabled by the absence of ground level ophidian predation.

The Canary Islands have provided a study model to learn broader evolutionary truths, like the Galapagos. I wish someone else would comment in more adequate detail on insular ecologies, who could do this important topic more justice than I could.
User avatar
intermedius
Posts: 481
Joined: March 22nd, 2012, 7:19 pm

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by intermedius »

I believe that these snakes may evolve on the island to become lizard specialists. It has happened before I mean look at notechis scutuatus on roxby, reevesby, and Chappell island. All have become lizard or bird specimens with no predators. Perhaps a dwarf population may occur?
User avatar
Kelly Mc
Posts: 4529
Joined: October 18th, 2011, 1:03 pm

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by Kelly Mc »

intermedius wrote:I believe that these snakes may evolve on the island to become lizard specialists. It has happened before I mean look at notechis scutuatus on roxby, reevesby, and Chappell island. All have become lizard or bird specimens with no predators. Perhaps a dwarf population may occur?


If theres a Wild God in heaven Gallotia stehlini will become getula specialists.
User avatar
gbin
Posts: 2292
Joined: June 10th, 2010, 4:28 pm

Re: California Kingsnakes now established in the Canary Isla

Post by gbin »

Brian Hubbs wrote:What's even more interesting is how Scott seems to shuffle anything interesting or important to some forum that few ever look at...WTF?
I'm just guessing, but maybe threads/posts without book plugs would have a better chance of sticking to the main message board?...

Gerry
Post Reply