Page 12 - Southern Exposure - July '24

Page 12, Southern Exposure

northErn notEs

Alligators And Rattlesnakes

And Their Importance In Preserves

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Northern’s preserve understand their behavior. This is why it is crucial for
areas are designed to residents to stay high up on the banks or sidewalks, be
preserve and conserve aware of their surroundings, teach children to stay clear
native ecosystems, and of the lakes and keep all dogs on a leash, promoting a
the American alligator and harmonious coexistence with these fascinating creatures.
the Eastern diamondback Like alligators, snakes, including rattlesnakes, are
rattlesnake are essential essential to our ecosystem. They help control small
members of that community. mammal populations such as mice, rats and rabbits.
The American alligator, Rattlesnakes can also help disperse seeds because their
North America’s largest digestive systems don’t have the enzymes to break down
reptile, has no natural certain foods. Seeds can germinate while still in their
predators except humans. digestive system. Rattlesnakes may travel eight to 10
This species has been around for about 200 million miles before passing the seeds through their system. The
years and has adapted to numerous changes in the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is a native snake in
Earth’s environmental conditions. Their existence was decline in much of its native range and could soon see
threatened when hunters began killing large numbers of also eat large numbers of gar (a predatory fish) and thus federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.
these animals for their exotic meat and their supple belly help maintain populations of game fish such as bass and They pose little threat to humans as they are typically not
skin, used to make shoes, belts and pocketbooks. Other bream. They also prey on invasive species, helping the aggressive unless threatened or in danger.
people considered alligators to be useless and dangerous native species survive. As alligators move from gator holes As conservationists, we know all species are connected
and hunted them for sport or out of hatred. Between 1950 to nesting mounds, they help keep areas of open water free and equally valuable to a healthy ecosystem. Our job is to
and 1960, hunters wiped out 90 percent of the alligators of invading vegetation. Without these ecosystem services, preserve as many species as possible and develop a sense
in Louisiana, and by the 1960s, the alligator population freshwater ponds and shrubs and trees would fill in coastal of shared responsibility to keep this planet at least the
in the Florida Everglades was also near extinction. wetlands in the alligator’s habitat, and dozens of species same, if not better than it was left to us.
would disappear. NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
Contrary to popular belief, alligators are less aggressive waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays,
than many other species of crocodilians. They have a using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia.
surprisingly well-developed ability to remember things Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm
like sources of food. If they see movement in the water, temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains nutrients
they will approach the source simply because they are that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly fertile
curious. They pose little threat to humans as they are water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for boating
typically not aggressive unless they feel threatened or and fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste carries
are in danger. It’s important to respect their space and diseases which make water unsafe.

Alligators are not just members of their ecosystems
but keystone species that play a unique and crucial role.
A keystone species is an organism that helps define
an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the
ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to
exist altogether. Alligators, with their deep depressions,
or gator holes, that collect fresh water during dry spells,
serve as refuges for aquatic life, and supply fresh water
and food for many animals when water is scarce, are a
prime example of this. Their large nesting mounds provide
nesting and feeding sites for herons and egrets. Alligators

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