The Brown Tree Snake is a slender and agile snake. This species is known for its notably large eyes with vertical pupils, indicating its nocturnal nature. The snake has brown to olive-colored scales with dark spots or stripes along its body, providing excellent camouflage in its natural environment. Originally, the Brown Tree Snake is native to Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands. However, it is also notorious as an invasive species on the island of Guam, where it was accidentally introduced after World War II. On Guam, the snake has caused significant ecological damage by nearly eradicating the native bird population. The Brown Tree Snake is an arboreal species and spends most of its time in trees and shrubs, though it is also often found on the ground. It primarily feeds on small birds, reptiles, and mammals. The snake has a mild venom that is not dangerous to humans but is effective in paralyzing its prey. This species is known for its aggressive behavior and its ability to quickly adapt to new environments. The Brown Tree Snake is especially active at night and can cover large distances in search of food, making it a highly successful and often problematic invasive species in areas outside its original habitat.
Ronald Pol (1977) is a nature photographer from Deventer, the Netherlands. It was during a trip to Africa that his passion for nature photography started. The main focus is on the photography of animals (portraits and behaviour), but a variety of other subjects are photographed as well... Read more…