Boiga irregularis
(Reptiles-Snakes)
brown tree snake
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Boiga irregularis
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The brown tree snake ("BTS"; Boiga irregularis) is a nocturnal venomous snake that has the potential to create serious ecological and economic harm if introduced to areas where it is not native. The brown tree snake has infamously devastated native (and other) bird populations on Guam, as well as populations of native bats and lizards. On Guam, the brown tree snake also causes frequent power outages (by short-circuiting lines by crossing transformers), causing millions of dollars in damage and downtime. Hundreds of emergency room admittances are due to brown tree snake bites, some requiring use of respiratory equipment to treat. It is possible that brown tree snake bites could cause respiratory failure in infants. The brown tree snake has the potential to cause the same problems in other areas--particularly now-snake-free islands, such as in Hawaii--if strict quarantine measures are not perpetually enforced. The brown tree snake is NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN to be established in Hawaii, although several snakes have been apprehended at airports (typically associated with military flights from Guam).
USDA/APHIS brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) information
Information on the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is provided by USDA/APHIS.
USDA/APHIS brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) fact sheet
Information on the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is provided by USDA/APHIS in this fact sheet.
Brown tree snake, species profile from USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
A brief overview of Boiga irregularis and many useful links are on this page from the NISIC.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): ecology info from GISD (ISSG)
online
Brown tree snake overview (James Cook University)
Description, biology, and behavior of the brown tree snake are presented (2001).
This bird only exists in captivity
The brown tree snake has eliminated wild populations of the Micronesian kingfisher, a bird native to Guam (9news, 11/17/2007).
Invasive species introduction as a threat to national security (including summary of the effects of the introduction to Guam of the brown tree snake [Boiga irregularis])
The Pest Risk Assessment for Importation of Solid Wood Packing Materials into the United States is a comprehensive full text report available online.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) impacts, HI DLNR
Impacts of the brown tree snake on Guam are presented by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Stop the brown tree snake!
This brochure--"Stop the brown tree snake!"--contains information from Hawaii Department of Agriculture about prevention and potential impacts of snakes in Hawaii.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): impact info from GISD (ISSG)
Information about impacts of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) in non-native environments is provided in the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) from IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Control and containment of the brown treesnake on Guam
Information about control and containment of the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) on Guam is provided by the USGS Fort Collins Science Center.
Control and Containment Efforts on the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Hawaii, and Other Island Governments
Information about control and containment of the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) on the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Hawaii, and other islands is provided by the USGS Fort Collins Science Center.
Strumigenys godeffroyi information from Antweb
Information about the ant Strumigenys godeffroyi--including images of specimens--is available online from Antweb (California Academy of Science).
Brown tree snake program in Hawaii
Dogs are used to detect brown tree snakes on planes arriving from Guam into Hawaii.
Brown tree snake prevention programs
Public education and more extensive inspection of aircraft arriving in Hawaii are part of the efforts to keep Hawaii free of the brown tree snake.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): management info from GISD (ISSG)
Nomenclatural information about Ossaea marginata is provided by ITIS.
Stop the brown tree snake!
This brochure--"Stop the brown tree snake!"--contains information from Hawaii Department of Agriculture about prevention and potential impacts of snakes in Hawaii.
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): management info from GISD (ISSG)
Nomenclatural information about Ossaea marginata is provided by ITIS.
Brown tree snake images
Kazuo Ogata and Mamoru Terayama
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): distribution info from GISD (ISSG)
public domain
Military expansion increases risk of brown tree snake infestation in Pacific
The increased military presence on Guam has proportionately increased the risk of brown tree snake infestations throughout the Pacific region, hence the need to beef up efforts to control the invasion of this creature which poses a threat to the islands' ecosystem, according to Micronesian leaders (Marianas Variety, 11/19/2007).
This bird only exists in captivity
The brown tree snake has eliminated wild populations of the Micronesian kingfisher, a bird native to Guam (9news, 11/17/2007).
Safeguards pushed vs. spread of brown tree snake
Micronesian leaders asked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to support inspections of all military vessels and cargo departing Guam to reduce the spread of brown tree snakes (Saipan Tribune, 11/17/2007).
Pentagon urged to ensure measures vs spread of brown tree snakes
Micronesian requested U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates implement a policy that will ensure brown tree snakes are not spread to the islands while the military does its business in the region (Marianas Variety 11/16/3007).
USDA brown tree snake detection dog kennel facility to be built on Guam
"[T]he construction of a joint Military Working Dog and USDA brown tree snake detection dog kennel facility" on Guam has been funded (Pacific Magazine, 31 January 2006).
Brown tree snake articles from Pacific Daily News (Guam)
A link is provided to search the Pacific Daily News (Guam) for brown tree snake articles.
Snakes in the grass on Maui?
Snake sightings on Maui have alarmed wildlife scientists and catalyzed training sessions (Maui News, 11/23/1997).
Brown tree snake fact sheet from US Fish and Wildlife Service
Incidents of Boiga irregularis interceptions in Hawaii are among the facts compiled by the Invasive Species Division of the USFWS (2004).
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis): expert contact info from GISD (ISSG)
USDA/ITIS (http://www.itis.usda.gov/)
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