Brown Tree Snake Characteristics

Words that describe brown tree snakes (boiga irregularis) are "voracious," "secretive" and "destructive." Brown tree snakes usually live in trees as their name suggests, but they are also found in grass, coastal areas, forest lands and swamps. Because of their aggressive, nocturnal nature, and the fact that they will eat almost anything, the brown tree snake has driven many species to extinction.

  1. Physical Characteristics

    • According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the brown tree snake grows between 3 and 6 feet in native areas, but on Guam where food supply has been easily obtained, the snakes sometimes grow to 10 feet. They are tan to brown in color with darker transverse (crosswise) markings, but variations in color occur in different habitats and helps them to stay camouflaged and undetected. The snake has a narrow neck and a broad head with large eyes and elliptical pupils. The snake's venom is not considered dangerous to humans.

    Habitat

    • The brown tree snake is indigenous to the northern Australian coast, Papua New Guinea and many islands in northwestern Melanesia, according to information from the U.S. Department of the Interior. It has cargo-hopped to other islands, but has been unable to reproduce in any of the new islands except for Guam, where it has been a devastating and dangerous enemy.

    Diet

    • Brown tree snakes have a voracious appetite and will eat just about anything, which is why they thrive so well in Guam. They eat smaller snakes, lizards, mammals, eggs, frogs and birds. They are very aggressive, lunging and striking at their prey repeatedly. The USGS reports that the snakes have taken so many birds and mammals that food is scarcer for them and they have been seen rummaging through garbage and stealing hamburgers off barbecues.

    Ecology

    • Science Daily states that the brown tree snake has been devastating to many species on Guam, and has driven 10 of 12 native bird species into extinction. Currently, the Mariana fruit bat, Guam's last native mammal, is being threatened with extinction as well.