Not an expert, but I did talk to some ecologists for my research internship about ecosystem engineering. With any ecosystem modification there are unforeseen consequences, we don't know every interaction the brown snake has with its ecosystem and we can't guarantee that an alternative would fill all those niches. When there are only ~5 snake bite deaths a year in Aus it doesn't seem worth the risk.
'Increasing biodiversity' by adding new species almost never ends up increasing biodiversity.
No.
The new species didn't evolve in the place assuming it does manage to establish itself, that's because it has a greater ability to live there than the previous species, which means it's probably going to outcompete and/or overpredate local species.
Yeah, maybe or maybe not, lots of introduced species are not even close to being as much of a problem as many native species.
Rat snakes are more advanced snakes than Australia's snakes, which are fairly primitive. They'd probably be more efficient at both hunting and evading predators. Australia is quite unique in having only a few colubrids, with literally most of Australia having none at all. In the rest of the world colubrids are the dominant snakes.
We are also unique in having mostly 'garbage' species from an anthropocentric angle.
Take a lesson from cane toads, rabbits, foxes, cats, carp, sparrows, Indian mynahs, etc etc etc.
And ignore the fact that many native species are pests and Australian civilization is primarily built off introduced species.
And ignore the fact that many native species are pests and Australian civilization is primarily built off introduced species.
Anytime we attempt to ecosystem engineer we risk screwing it up and causing more harm than good.
Oh dear... you cannot talk about replacing people on the internet these days.Never heard of the idea ,could replace humans with chimps too ,good for banana growers.
You think they can be introduced into the suburbs and just be asked nicely to stay in that area and not spread?
I guess it worked for Cane Toads. What could go wrong? Silly me, forget I said anything. What would I know? I'm just a qualified ecologist.
Let's let some more fish, birds and mammals go too. Screw the natives, those early settlers had the right idea releasing rabbits, foxes, sparrows and stuff.
I think it would have been a good idea to seriously consider some sort of carefully evaluated snake as bio-control for cane toads. Your strawman and basic high school level arguments are not really working for me.
The failure to deal with cane toads is one rebuttal. Another rebuttal is the complete failure of dealing with changing urban ecosystems. Another would be the failure to deal with agricultural ecosystems. Another would be the proof that biocontrol works extremely well if carefully implemented.
The idea is it would replace brown snakes and other highly dangerous snakes in areas where they are practically removed already or not wanted, you could use unfit or low fitness animals.The most obvious flaw in your argument (though not even the biggest potential problem!) is that if this introduced rat snake is good enough to outcompete and replace brown snakes in the area it is introduced in, it's going to continue to spread out and replace brown snakes in the wilderness too.
Cactii* or catucessess.
The idea is it would replace brown snakes and other highly dangerous snakes in areas where they are practically removed already or not wanted, you could use unfit or low fitness animals.
*sigh*
Why would you want to replace something in an area where they are practically no longer there???
To eat rodents and other pests. Urban and other heavily modified ecosystems often lack predators. Apart from snake catchers nobody would want to boost/reindtroduce the numbers of lethal snakes into urban areas.
Are you just trolling?
No, although I don't expect a clear answer. I have also stated I don't know much about rat snakes. More of a thought exercise than trolling.
lol yeah I'm terrible at spelling, cactuecessess is not even a real word... However prickly pear cacti are not a real problem, as far as I have been able to find. With the introduction of suitable biocontrol they are a net benefit as far as I know.
Enter your email address to join: