5 reasons Trinbagonians should appreciate snakes and why

Micrurus diutius - Large coral snake, Trinidad. Photo by Renoir Auguste

If you ask most Trinbagonians what they think about snakes, more often than not it seems the response is either instantaneous fear or hate. And yet, there are those who do like them, and appreciate their existence. Those of us who do appreciate snakes would try our best to convince others about their importance, but many times are seemingly ignored. In order to highlight world snake day, here are five reasons Trinbagonians should appreciate snakes and why.

1. Predators and pest removers. Snakes are important predators feeding on a variety of animals. They also feed on pests, including rats, snails, slugs, insects, and parrots (all of which can have negative effects on crops). In addition, some snakes even eat other snakes, particularly the venomous ones!

2. Research and Medicine. Studies on snakes have shown that their venom can potentially be used to treat medical diseases in humans. Therein lies the possibility of one day treating human diseases with the help of snakes!

3. Ecotourism. People from countries abroad come to Trinidad and Tobago to see the many snakes we have here. Because of our proximity to South America, Trinidad and Tobago has a variety of snake species (over 40 at the moment). Some of these include the largest snake in the world: the green anaconda, the longest venomous snake in the western hemisphere: the bushmaster, and some of the rarest in the world: the Tobago false coral, an island endemic found nowhere else in the world!

Erythrolamprus ocellatus Tobago false coral, harmlessly resting on hand. Photo by Renoir Auguste

4. Harmless unless provoked. Believe it or not, the majority of snakes in the country are harmless, unless of course they are provoked. Like any wild animal (or human), no one likes being provoked. To snakes, people are threats to their lives, and if they are picked up or stepped on, their instinct will be to try and protect themselves. There are snakes that can potentially cause harm to people in Trinidad, for example the four venomous species: (1) mapepire balsain (aka fer-de-lance), (2) bushmaster, (3) large coral, (4) small coral. However, these snakes will not go out of their way or comfort zone to bite people unless they have been provoked. 

5. Snakes are animals and alive, just like you. Although some cultures have used snakes in their folklore stories to be mythical in nature, in reality, snakes are just animals that are part of the world we live in. Humans share a world with snakes and other wildlife, and should remember that without them, there can be dire consequences to people. 

To learn more about the snakes in Trinidad and Tobago, get your copy of the latest "Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago"!

You don't need to love snakes, but at least have appreciation for them. I assure you, they want to avoid you as much as possible too.

Invasion history and success for the introduced lizard 'Anolis wattsi' in Trinidad

Anolis wattsi (Watts Anole) from Arima, Trinidad. Photo by Adam Fifi

Anolis wattsi or Watt's Anole is native to Antigua and is one of a few Anolis species introduced to Trinidad. Anolis wattsi is smaller, prefers lower perches and has a higher field body temperature when compared to other Anoles (Michaelidis et al. 2019). These factors have contributed in some way to its successful establishment in Trinidad and a recent report further backs this with its apparent spread across the island (Fifi and Auguste 2017).

Anolis wattsi was first discovered in Trinidad in 1992 by Graham White, current editor of Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club. The lizard was first spotted on pineapple plants which suggested a possible source as to how it got here. However, later surveys found no evidence to back this up. Thus, the actual introduction source was unresolved. Michaelidis and colleagues (2019) then used genetic studies to infer the source of introduced Anolis wattsi populations in Trinidad.

Based on their genetic results, Anolis wattsi populations in Trinidad more likely came from the northern part of Antigua, as opposed to the south where pineapple plants are cultivated. Also, the spread of individuals within Trinidad is likely from individuals already in the island.

Although competition among Anolis lizards is great when similar ecomorphologically, the only species (currently) that Anolis wattsi closely cohabitates with in Trinidad is Anolis aeneus. This species is larger, uses higher perches, and thus to an extent avoids competition (for resources like microhabitat and food). Because of this, Anolis wattsi is likely to continue to establish itself further in Trinidad.

References:

Michaelidis et a. 2019. Genetic reconstruction of the invasion history of Anolis

wattsi in Trinidad with a comment on the importance of ecological

similarity to invasion success. Herpetological Journal 29: 131-139.

Fifi, A., and Auguste, R.J. 2017.  New localities for the introduced Anolis wattsi (Squamata: Dactyloidae) on Trinidad, West Indies.  Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club, 2017: 51.

A frog in Trinidad glows in the dark

Polka-dot treefrog (Boana punctata) as seen under flashlight (left) and under UV light (right), Trinidad.
Photos by Renoir Auguste (left) and Rainer Deo (right).

In nature, when one thinks of animals that glow in the dark, perhaps fire flies (that are actually beetles) comes to mind first, or perhaps marine-minded people imagine those bizarre creatures in the depths of the ocean. Yet, not many people would start to think of frogs glowing in the dark, and it just so turns out, there are frogs that do it, and one such species can be found in Trinidad.

The polka-dot treefrog (Boana punctata) is perhaps one of the most colourful frogs on Trinidad. This widespread Neotropical frog gets its common name from the red dots on the back of individuals. A few years ago, researchers in Colombia, where the species also occurs, happen to shine a UV light in the forest at night, presumably looking for other wildlife. To their surprise, one animal they saw glowing under the light spectrum was a polka-dot tree frog. It appears this feature is not restricted to individuals in Colombia, as we have seen it as well in Trinidad.

Scientists currently do not know what is the purpose of this irridescent glow, which can also be seen in scorpions. Presumably, it perhaps plays a role in visual communication among conspecifics (individuals of the same species). It is something that is noteworthy of investigating further. Who knows what other animals we might find glowing in the dark in our tropical forests, and what it may mean for all biodiversity.

To learn more about this amazing frog that glows in the dark in Trinidad, get your copy of the field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago. Details at link here.

Protected Areas and Trinidad and Tobago's Herpetofauna

Tobago Glass Frog. Photo by Renoir Auguste

Protected areas represent a management tool (or strategy) to help conserve biodiversity. Biodiversity is not only important to wildlife conservation, but to human health, local communities and national economy as well. In order to maximize the effectiveness of protected areas and its overarching uses, information on the species present within them is fundamental. Species lists represent a component that all designated protected areas should have in order to properly manage them and those in and around it. Monitoring has shown to improve management plans with updated information.

Trinidad and Tobago has a variety of designated protected areas. Yet, species lists for them are lacking. A national ecological baseline study (Project ID: GCP/TRI/003/GFF) aimed to help fill this gap for six pilot protected areas. The six areas that were under consideration for protected status (or in some cases, improved protected status) included the Caroni Swamp, Nariva Swamp, Matura National Park/Matura Forest, Trinity Hills, Main Ridge Forest Reserve, and North East Tobago Marine Protected Area. Many different taxonomic groups were assessed, including the amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna).

Main Ridge Forest Reserve. Photo by Renoir Auguste

From the baseline survey results, 67 herpetofauna species were recorded within the six pilot protected areas. These included 25 amphibian species, 4 turtle species, 1 crocodilian species and 37 squamate (lizard and snake) species. These represent about 70% of the country's amphibians and 50% of the reptiles currently known for the country, suggesting these protected areas are important areas for herpetofauna.


Improved management of the protected areas, national policies, and future monitoring can be based on these results. Indeed, the local government has recently accepted a National Protected Areas System Plan to protect areas in Trinidad and Tobago to help conserve biodiversity based on these results. Hopefully with funding and support, longer term monitoring and local community outreach activities can help provide more quantitative data needed to maintain the long term sustainability of these protected areas and the conservation of biodiversity within them for the benefit of all.

Reference:

Auguste, R.J. (2019). Herpetofaunal checklist for six pilot protected areas in Trinidad andTobago. Herpetology Notes 12, 577-585.