Page 14 - Talk of Tequesta - July '24

Page 14, The Talk Of Tequesta

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 Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is a native snake in
areas are designed to decline in much of its native range and could soon see
preserve and conserve federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.
native ecosystems, and They pose little threat to humans as they are typically not
the American alligator and aggressive unless threatened or in danger.
the Eastern diamondback As conservationists, we know all species are connected
rattlesnake are essential and equally valuable to a healthy ecosystem. Our job is
m em bers of tha t to preserve as many species as possible and develop a
community. sense of shared responsibility to keep this planet at least
The American alligator, the same, if not better than it was left to us.
North America’s largest NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
reptile, has no natural waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays,
predators except humans. This species has been around using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia.
for about 200 million years and has adapted to numerous Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm
changes in the Earth’s environmental conditions. Their temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains nutrients
existence was threatened when hunters began killing digestive systems don’t have the enzymes to break down that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly fertile
large numbers of these animals for their exotic meat and certain foods. Seeds can germinate while still in their water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for boating
their supple belly skin, used to make shoes, belts and digestive system. Rattlesnakes may travel eight to 10 and fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste carries
pocketbooks. Other people considered alligators to be miles before passing the seeds through their system. The diseases which make water unsafe.
useless and dangerous and hunted them for sport or out
of hatred. Between 1950 and 1960, hunters wiped out 90
percent of the alligators in Louisiana, and by the 1960s,
the alligator population in the Florida Everglades was also
near extinction.

How much will you

need to retire?

Call to schedule a

one-on-one.

Alligators are not just members of their ecosystems
but keystone species that play a unique and crucial role. Sally S Stahl, AAMS™
A keystone species is an organism that helps define Financial Advisor
an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the 1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to Jupiter, FL 33458
exist altogether. Alligators, with their deep depressions, 561-748-7600
or gator holes, that collect fresh water during dry spells, Sally.Stahl@edwardjones.com
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 also eat large numbers of gar (a predatory fish)
and thus help maintain populations of game fish such
as bass and bream. They also prey on invasive species,
helping the native species survive. As alligators move
from gator holes to nesting mounds, they help keep areas
of open water free of invading vegetation. Without these
ecosystem services, freshwater ponds and shrubs and trees
would fill in coastal wetlands in the alligator’s habitat,
and dozens of species would disappear.
Contrary to popular belief, alligators are less aggressive
than many other species of crocodilians. They have a
surprisingly well-developed ability to remember things
like sources of food. If they see movement in the water,
they will approach the source simply because they are
curious. They pose little threat to humans as they are
typically not aggressive unless they feel threatened or
are in danger. It’s important to respect their space and
understand their behavior. This is why it is crucial for
residents to stay high up on the banks or sidewalks, be
aware of their surroundings, teach children to stay clear
of the lakes and keep all dogs on a leash, promoting a
harmonious coexistence with these fascinating creatures.
Like alligators, snakes, including rattlesnakes, are
essential to our ecosystem. They help control small
mammal populations such as mice, rats and rabbits.
Rattlesnakes can also help disperse seeds because their