The brown treesnake’s colonization of Guam has resulted in the loss of at least 17 vertebrates from the island over the last 5 decades. Shipping and air traffic out of Guam provide opportunities for this highly invasive, destructive snake to be transported to other islands and beyond, where it could cause similar problems. The Brown Treesnake Control program conducts research on this invasive snake, its ecology and habitat, and methods of early detection and rapid assessment. The program has been expanded to include other invading snakes (e.g., Burmese Pythons, Boa Constrictor, and Yellow Anaconda in Florida) and similar organisms. Control of these organisms is often prohibitively expensive after they have become established in continental situations, and therefore prevention through screening and risk assessment takes on a greater importance when protecting continental areas from invasive reptiles. Overall, this work seeks to compile the scientific data necessary to guide management efforts to prevent introductions, control the snakes, and contain their spread. In cooperation with the DOI Office of Insular Affairs, USDA National Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and State and Island governments, objectives include testing detection and control methods; developing control strategies; and coordinating prevention, early detection and rapid assessment, monitoring and research, and outreach.

For more information contact Gordon Rodda