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Snakes play a vital role in
controlling the population of the
smaller species within an ecosystem. Everything from mice, to
rats, to rabbits, and even some species of bird are the normal
prey of snakes. Without the control of snakes these creatures
would have an enormous impact on our food supply as they feed on
our crops, food stores, and gardens. |
The reproduction rate of most smaller species is far greater
then most people realize. Rats for example reproduce at an
alarming rate of almost 200 babies from just a single specimen.
Rabbits can produce 21 a year. Now imagine if you missed that
one rat...2 years in a row. The numbers begin to climb very
fast. |
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Is
biodiversity important
for human
survival?
74% of the people surveyed said
yes.
This is good news for the
world. It shows that people really are thinking about the
environment and are not just on a killing spree. An
ecosystem would not survive well, if at all, with only a few
species populating it. Snakes help to control the population of
smaller species within their ecosystem.
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The reproductive cycles of rattlesnakes as well as that of the
snake’s prey will give an idea of the impact possible on the
rodent population if snakes were eradicated. And the unlikely
idea that we could eradicate all the rodents.
The
rabbits…
Although rabbits typically only live for about a year in the
wild, one mother can produce up to nine offspring every month.
And on top of that rabbits will breed year round, and only have
a gestation period of approximately one month. Once they have
given birth, rabbits can become impregnated within 24 hours.
One
rabbit…..21 births a year
The Rats…
Although wild rats only live for a few years in the wild, an
adult rat can produce as many as 12 offspring every 3 weeks.
Rats also breed year round, but only have a gestation period of
about 3 weeks, and can become impregnated again after 48 hours.
One
Rat…..208 births a year
The
Snakes…
Snakes are a bit on the defensive here because they can only
produce between 5 to 10 in every litter, This will happen
approximately once a year. The gestation period is between 4 to
6 months. And the eggs must be incubated for at least 2 months.
Breeding will typically take place only in late spring.
One
Snake…..10 births a year
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Most of us call them "Rats" (and a few other names)
There are over 6,000 varieties of
rodents. About 600 belong to the Rattus family or Rat family.
And according to information from Responsible Wildlife
Management rodents have been shown to cause
2.8 million dollars worth of damage
to crops in just one year time. This is just one year, and only
in one state. Only geese were higher on the list for crop
damage. Its is not just the fact that they nibble when they eat,
which is very wasteful, but their pellets and urine are left
behind to contaminate any place they have been. This is a
problem in that rodents are known to carry diseases. Anything
from salmonella, rickettsialpox, rat bite
fever, tapeworms, and organisms that may cause ringworm in
humans. This is only a small portion of diseases on a large list
that is possible to be carried by rodents. |
