Impact (in numbers) of Invasive reptiles on Florida?

[GarterGirl]

I'm making comparison charts to try to explain to people why these anit-reptile laws are often rushed and based on fear, not facts. One of the charts will show the number of animals killed by cats each year vs. the number of animals killed by the invasive reptiles of Southern Florida. While I found the cats information, I can't find information on Florida. I know it's out there because I've used it before, but maybe I'm just not looking in the right places. Any help?


The other charts will include:
Dog related deaths VS snake related deaths
Deadly human communicable diseases from cats and dogs vs reptiles
US map showing where invasive reptiles are vs. where feral cats are
Any other ideas or help are appreciated, if someone has already done this sort of thing.

[wrecker45]

I read there are 400 people killed by horses for every one killed by pet reptiles. There are more reptile owners in n.america than horse owners.

[GarterGirl]

Ooo! That's a nice one! Can you find a source?

[pdomensis]

This paper is often quoted by the media.

Dorcas, M.E., J.D. Willson, R.N. Reed, R.W. Snow, M.R. Rochford, M.A. Miller, W.E. Mehsaka, Jr., P.T. Andreadis, F.J. Mazzotti, C.M. Romagosa, K.M. Hart. 2012. Severe Mammal Declines Coincide with Proliferation of Invasive Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Abstract
Invasive species represent a significant threat to global biodiversity and a substantial economic burden. Burmese pythons, giant constricting snakes native to Asia, now are found throughout much of southern Florida, including all of Everglades National Park (ENP). Pythons have increased dramatically in both abundance and geographic range since 2000 and consume a wide variety of mammals and birds. Here we report severe apparent declines in mammal populations that coincide temporally and spatially with the proliferation of pythons in ENP. Before 2000, mammals were encountered frequently during nocturnal road surveys within ENP. In contrast, road surveys totaling 56,971 km from 2003–2011 documented a 99.3% decrease in the frequency of raccoon observations, decreases of 98.9% and 87.5% for opossum and bobcat observations, respectively, and failed to detect rabbits. Road surveys also revealed that these species are more common in areas where pythons have been discovered only recently and are most abundant outside the python's current introduced range. These findings suggest that predation by pythons has resulted in dramatic declines in mammals within ENP and that introduced apex predators, such as giant constrictors, can exert significant top-down pressure on prey populations. Severe declines in easily observed and/or common mammals, such as raccoons and bobcats, bode poorly for species of conservation concern, which often are more difficult to sample and occur at lower densities.

[GarterGirl]

I've seen that one, the problem is I need estimated numbers of how many per year are killed, not the percent decline.

[pdomensis]

Estimated # of burmese in FL ~5,000-180,000 (wiki) X estimated 26 feeds/yr = 130,000 to 4,680,000 animals.

That's just me playing with numbers, but I bet it's close to other guesses.

[GarterGirl]

Much better! Thank you.
I'll keep hoping for 'cited' works with those kind of numbers, namely because I know people will ask for them.

[pdomensis]

Cite the National park service for estimated numbers. The rest is extrapolation based on common knowledge. Or cite me as an expert! :-P

[formica]

Its not just about Snakes tbh, invasive species threaten whole eco-systems, take the fire ant invasion for eg, its threatening species from insects, to birds, reptiles, mammals and even humans, one little insect is threatening to take down the entire food chain - may seem sensationalist, but its happening right now.

Not so long ago, Australia was faced with the possibility of starvation of millions, just because they introduced a few rabbits...which quickly turned into millions upon millions of rabbits

Eco systems are finely balanced, its not the controls you should be angry at, its the irresponsible fools who thought it didnt matter if they released the animals into the wild

Snakes attacking humans is an insignificant concern, relative to the potential collapse of eco systems. Alien species can decimate eco systems, because the eco system did not evolve with it, they have no natural predetors, no natural controls which keep their numbers in check and stop them taking over.

Look up Snake Island, for an example of a few Brown Snakes threatening an entire islands wildlife population with extinction, and has already caused the extinction of many endemic species

[GarterGirl]

I do understand the issues of invasive species- I grew up with a bio professor as a parent. And I'm not telling people to not be worried about invasive species. What I'm telling people is that the Lacey Act and other subsequent flat-bans on reptiles are not the answer, just as banning cats would not be the answer. I'm trying to increase public knowledge about reptiles and decrease the fear mongering that the media keeps pushing. Decisions should be made off of knowledge, not fear.

[StudentoReptile]

I work as an animal control officer in my county. Can't speak for any other county or city, but I guarantee the number of calls/reports of cats & dogs we respond to compared to that of any reptile is exponentially greater, it is not even worth mentioning. Easily less than 1 percent.

Dogs and cats, both owned and strays, present a greater risk to both public safety/health AND the environment....hands down. I can get you a report of the past few years from our county if you wish, but it would not amount to much if you did not have a national report/percentage.