2 Snakes That Are Invasive in Baja California

As Mexico’s Twelfth-largest state, Baja California has numerous geography starting from seashores to deserts and even dense forests. It additionally has a various vary of reptiles, significantly its snakes–the truth is, round 25 distinctive species are identified to dwell all through the state. However, a couple of of Baja California’s watersnakes are invasive and might even be damaging, which is what we’ll be masking under. We’ll additionally contact on a couple of of Baja California’s native species. Read on to study all about these invasive (and native) serpents, the right way to establish them, the sorts of habitats they frequent, and extra.

1. Southern Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata)

The Southern watersnake is considered one of southern California and Baja California’s most well-known invasive species. It is initially native to the central and southeastern United States. Three whole subspecies exist, with the first invasive selection within the space being the Florida subspecies, Nerodia fasciata pictiventris. 

As far as its look goes, the southern watersnake can range in colour from a grayish inexperienced to darkish brown. Its physique is marked by a number of skinny, horizontal bands that may additionally range in colour from beige to white to yellow and even brown. Its ventral facet (stomach) is often a white or yellowish colour. As a sexually dimorphic species, females are typically each longer and heavier than males.

This invasive species has sadly had a major influence on Baja California’s native wildlife. As a generalized predator, its weight loss program is extraordinarily diversified. It generally eats something from worms and birds to fish, amphibians, turtles, and even different, smaller snakes. Notably, it additionally reproduces in a short time, and it tolerates each contemporary and brackish water. It generally outcompetes different native snakes and reptiles for each meals and shelter.

Although this species is non-venomous, it’s able to emitting a foul substance from its anal glands to thrust back potential predators. Additionally, it’s usually confused with the cottonmouth snake as a result of its comparable look.

2. Northern/Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)

The different notable invasive species in Baja California (in addition to a lot of the US state of California) is the Northern watersnake, often known as the frequent watersnake. Although additionally it is non-venomous, it’s generally confused with the venomous cottonmouth. It is native to the jap United States, nevertheless it was discovered to be launched to southern California and northern Mexico in 2007.

This species is an average-sized snake starting from 2.5 to 4 ft in size. Similar to the southern watersnake above, it’s sexually dimorphic, with males being barely smaller and extra light-weight than females. Its physique colour ranges from darkish brown to grey or reddish brown with darkish bands throughout the neck and darkish splotches throughout the remainder of its physique and tail. Meanwhile, its stomach, or ventral facet, is far lighter in colour and ranges from off-white to yellow to grey usually with darker crescent-shaped markings.

Like the southern watersnake, the northern watersnake has additionally had a major influence on California and Mexico’s native species, most notably the large garter snake. It is able to outcompeting this species for sources like meals and shelter. As a talented predator, it additionally has been identified to feed upon many native fish and amphibian species. 

To fight this invasive species’ influence, the US state of California made it unlawful to import northern watersnakes with out a allow in 2008. This is as a result of they had been seemingly launched to the world (in addition to Baja California in Mexico) by unique pet homeowners releasing their snakes into the wild.

Other Notable Native Snakes in Baja California

In addition to the above invasive species, Baja California can be home to greater than 20 different distinctive species of native snakes. Below are three of essentially the most notable varieties it’s best to know!

1. Baja California Rat Snake (Bogertophis rosaliae)

Native to Baja California and southern California, this species is sort of reclusive, with little about it being identified to herpetologists. It primarily inhabits dry desert habitats and mesas. In the US state of California, it’s protected as a species of “special concern.”

This lengthy, pretty slender snake has a distinctly strong reddish brown physique colour, whereas its stomach (ventral facet) is often a pale yellowish inexperienced. It averages 30 to 60 inches in size. 

Though it’s at present categorized as a rat snake inside its personal distinctive genus taxonomically, specialists nonetheless know little or no about its weight loss program and habits. More analysis can be wanted within the coming years to higher perceive the character of its life-style.

2. Desert Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata)

The desert rosy boa additionally has a really restricted geographic vary. It is native solely to southern California within the US and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California. It was initially described in 1861 by American zoologist Edward Drinker Cope. Its taxonomic standing continues to be a subject of heavy debate amongst herpetologists. Currently, it belongs to the Lichanura genus of rosy boas.

This species is sort of small in dimension, starting from round 15 to 40 inches lengthy. Its 4 subspecies primarily range by physique size. It’s additionally pretty slender with a diameter of round 1.5 to 2 inches. Its physique coloration varies considerably from individual to individual, with most having a particular rosy pinkish or salmon coloured stomach accented by small, irregular brown spots. The dorsal facet typically has three stripes operating lengthwise down the physique. These stripes are also extremely variable, starting from orange to brown to black.

3. Baja California Rattlesnake (Crotalus enyo)

The Baja California rattlesnake, as its identify implies, is primarily native to northwestern Mexico. As a species of pit viper within the Crotalus genus, it’s extremely venomous. It averages 30 to 40 inches in size and has three whole subspecies.

Unlike a few of the different sexually dimorphic invasive snakes we’ve explored right here, males of the native Baja California rattlesnake are typically bigger and heavier than females. It is a light-weight beige to off-white in colour with mild to darkish brown triangular or diamond-shaped spots alongside its again. Compared to most different pit vipers, its head is pretty small, although its eyes are comparatively very giant.

The IUCN Red List at present classifies this species as “least concern” as a result of its widespread vary and wholesome inhabitants. It primarily inhabits desert habitats, although it additionally generally will be present in shrublands.

The photograph featured on the prime of this put up is © iStock.com/passion4nature