Is there a reasonable explanation why the Indigo is endagered in it's range?
Was it over collection, extermination due to ignorance or new construction?
Thanks
Robert
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conservation
silver944t
Jun 16, 2004 09:48 AM
Replies (5)
DeanAlessandrini
Jun 16, 2004 10:41 AM
Check out my article on www.indigosnakes.com , articles and info section. This is from the April 2002 Reptiles magazine. It answers your questions.
We still have a lot to learn, but...in a nutshell it's:
1 habitat destruction and fragmention
2 collection for the pet trade (mostly in the past)
3 wanton killings
4 decline in numbers of gopher toroise (they rely on the burrows as a primary retreat and escape from extreme temps)
5 gassing of tortoise burrows
6 suppression of natural fires.
There is still a pretty extensive study being conducted in S GA
Dean Alessandrini
silver944t
Jun 16, 2004 11:46 AM
Dean
They actually 'gas' the tortoise burrows? Why do they do that? I would assume that if they wanted to kill the tortoises they'd just fill in the burrows.
Robert
happycamper
Jun 16, 2004 11:54 AM
Just come to South Texas and you can find idiots who do "rattlesnake roundups" by squirting gasoline in any hole or crack they find. Sickens or kills pretty much anything else in the hole. I love my state, but hate half of it's ignorant inhabitants. I wanted to puch a guy for saying he ran over a "blue indigo" before with his truck...on purpose.
"Save a snake...skin a redneck"
silver944t
Jun 16, 2004 12:32 PM
"Save a snake...skin a redneck" That would be a great bumper sticker, any takers?
Robert
DeanAlessandrini
Jun 16, 2004 12:35 PM
It started with rattlesnake roundups and commercial collection.
Lots of reptiles use the burrows as refuge. The idea is that if you shoot gasoline into the burrow, everything in the burrow will come out to escape the fumes.
Often, the animals die right there in the burrow. If they do come out they are collected...and die soon afterward from the effects.
It also ruins the habitat (nothing will occupy a gassed burrow for as long as 10 years) which of course compounds the problem.
It's illegal now, but very hard to enforce.
Also...all terrain vehicles (like quadrunners) take a toll.
People ride them around and cave in burrows as they go.
Not only destroying habitat, but entrapping snakes.
The largest mortality issue still seems to be road kills...as these snake travel long distances.
As roads cut through the habitat, and they are always on the move..it can be just a matter of time...
