Reptiles on the Refuge

February 8^th brought wonderful news when I was officially invited to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer! I accepted the invitation and am proud for the opportunity to make a difference and represent the United States of America. I will be leaving the states on June 19^th to serve as a Science Educator in Sierra Leone, Africa.

Thus far my time at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge has been full of new experiences and species I never before encountered in the wild! While working to manage the habitat for Florida panthers, we’ve had several run-ins with reptiles (or Non-avian Sauropsids for you science majors). Consequently this blog entry will focus on some of our scaled, cold-blooded land lobbers here in southwest Florida. So what’s the work like?

 Working at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is best described as an Indiana Jones movie. Outside of the classroom we’re uncovering clues of an elusive cat. You meet professionals with unique expertise that aid you on your quest. Science, historical records, along with stories passed down help you see the greater ecological picture. You begin to realize there is more to this mysterious cat and its environment. Tracks, scat, and scrapes leave formidable clues. But to find this species you must enter its territory. Here the dense tropical foliage may as well be a jungle. Vines entangle weary explorers and old palm stumps lay pitfall traps. You conquer the labyrinth only to find yourself face to face with the natives (animals). Unknown beasts in the thick hammocks encourage quick progress and monstrous swamp buggies provide a way-out through difficult terrain. There are villains too! Poachers cross this territory and hunt the panther’s prey. But the reward is great! With each adventure a sign of the mysterious Florida panther and a surplus of knowledge follow every step. It doesn’t belong in a museum, but it should be preserved all the same. Here the only difference is our appreciation for snakes!

Yellow Rat Snake
Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata

The Python Hunt:

 Florida’s presence of pythons has gained attention statewide! As more and more people encounter large exotic snakes, wildlife officials have become increasingly concerned over their effect on the environment. Many have heard ridiculous notions from various sources of media. But the truth remains that there are exotic snake species established in Southern Florida. And the media has done its part in making this known. How many we truly can’t say. But it’s important to conduct surveys in areas where they could become established. So last week we did just that! One of the non-profit organizations setup a python hunt to survey areas believed to have favorable conditions for Burmese python.

Volunteers from a variety of organizations took time out of their day to come support efforts to keep exotic snake species at bay. After a brief training, we split into small groups and set out to survey areas believed to be potential “hot spots” for pythons. Participants brought snacks, shirts, and guides to share. It was a fun, educational experience and truly inspiring what a small group of people can achieve working together!

Our target species was Burmese python (though other exotic snakes such as Yellow Anaconda have been found near Naples, FL). Burmese python are a large constricting species well known for their attractive giraffe-like pattern. They are a favorite pet among reptile enthusiasts until they outgrow their owners. Capable of reaching lengths over 20ft, Burmese python can weigh over 200lbs and have been known to kill prey as large as deer. A lack of natural predators along with Florida’s climate and network of channels seems to have aided their dispersal across southern Florida. Though they can pose a danger to pets and small children, we must understand that these animals are not monsters. These exotic snakes are simply trying to fulfill their ecological role in a foreign environment. Here in Florida their presence is not beneficial and their removal is a necessary consequence of our own actions.  

In the end we didn’t find any pythons (though we did find two shed skins believed to be Burmese python and several native snake species). Despite returning empty-handed, it still felt like we succeeded. Little sign of pythons was a good sign. Southwest Florida had won the battle! But the question was whether we would win the war.

If you are interested in exploring this topic further, I encourage you to read up on the USGS Fort Collins Research Center Webpage (see link below). Remember the record breaking 17’ 7” Burmese python found in Florida? Upon capture the female was implanted with two radio transmitters, a GPS device, and a motion sensing device. She was then released for 38 days in the hopes of learning more about the movements and behavior of Burmese python. Studies like this have helped the community gain insight to manage Burmese python and mitigate the spread of this exotic species.

USGS Fort Collins Research Center Webpage: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/FLConstrictors/

Record Breaking Burmese Python in Florida: http://gallery.usgs.gov/videos/562

Naturally my favorite activity thus far has been our American alligator survey. During our search for pythons, we decided to search a stretch of canal bordering the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. A Spotlight survey (to see eye shine at night) is a better method to survey Crocodilians (alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gharials). However, since we were also searching for large exotic snakes we decided to multi-task. We set out on January 30^th around 9am. Fifteen miles of canal lay before us, waiting to be explored.

Canoeing the Crocodilian Canal:

 I was assigned the task of designing the American alligator survey we conducted at the Florida Panther NWR. But I would soon be reminded that nature hardly yields the results we hope for. Immediately it became clear that a daytime canoe survey had its challenges. Judging the size of alligators proved difficult, as most slipped in the water or sunk down once they acknowledged our presence. A few individuals didn’t care, perhaps because of their size. These individuals made data collection easy. It also became clear that some stretches of the canal held substantially fewer gators than others. Although I looked at habitat, bank height, temperature, and time, I couldn’t seem to find a correlation. But some questions are better left unanswered. One stretch of the canal revealed only a handful of alligators under a meter in length. That is until we passed a large culvert. In the midst of the large dark tunnel, a massive beast lay basking in the shallows. All eyes were on him. With a slight whip of his shaded tail he revealed his true power. His girth exceeded the width of our canoe. As for his length…well we weren’t going to stick around to find out. At something over 15 feet in length my survey revealed that Dragons do exist. Or at least a lineage of Arcosaurs that used to prey upon dinosaurs millions of years ago!

American Alligator Ecology:

Typically American alligators dig “gator holes” when waters begin to recede in Florida. Gator holes are depressions dug by alligators to retain water during the dry season. These small ponds allow the alligators, fishes, terrapins, amphibians, invertebrates, and certain plant species to persist throughout the year. This behavior gives the American Alligator an important ecological role. However, the presence of canals has created a permanent water source in Florida. During a spotlight survey, the canal along Florida Panther NWR was found to have over 600 American alligators in a 15 mile stretch. These man-made structures have attracted enormous amounts of American alligators! So is this altering the American alligator’s role in the environment? Florida’s canals have changed Florida's natural flow of water. Now efforts are focusing on the hydrolic restoration of Florida. The trick is finding the balance between people and the preservation of nature.

Do you know what this is?
Hint: It is not a snake!

With each new day, nature reveals more clues to her complex chaos that seems to form a balance I will never understand. Stay tuned because I’ve earned my motorboat operation certification course and I’m bound to run ashore with something soon!