Key Characteristics and Classification of the Brown Tree Snake
Snakes are carnivorous reptiles covered in overlapping scales. They are elongated and legless species belonging to suborder serpentes. Let us know the definition of binomial nomenclature before we write down the Scientific name of brown tree snake.
Binomial Nomenclature:
Binomial nomenclature is a system of naming the species with unique Latin forms. It is also called a scientific name or binomial nomenclature or binomen. It includes two terms: species and genus name.
What is the Scientific Name of Brown Tree Snake?
The scientific name of brown tree snake is Boiga irregularis.
The taxonomy of brown tree snake is as follows:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Boiga
Species: B. irregularis
The brown tree snake is also called a brown cat snake or culepla, it is a native snake of Indonesia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Its geographic range has expanded due to the lack of natural predators and the prey in Guam, Saipan and also other islands of western pacific. It preys upon lizards, bats, and rats in the native region. It also preys upon birds and shrews in Guam. A fully grown snake might measure up to 3m.
The brown tree snake is a nocturnal animal which has grooved fangs at the rear of its mouth, hence this makes it difficult to transfer the venom to the adult human thus the venom is harmless for the human as it is transferred in small doses. But it can affect the children due to their lower body mass.
Distinctive Features of the Brown Tree Snake:
The brown tree snake has a number of distinctive features which are given in the following.
The head of the snake is wider compared to its body.
It has large eyes with the pupil placed in a vertical position that helps the snake in hunting during night time.
It can also live for several months even without consuming the food.
It can move easily to other places as it is a good climber and it can enter small openings in the vehicles.
Did you Know?
Brown tree snakes climb the trees in a different manner compared to other snakes. It wraps its tail around the tree and wriggles to push itself.
FAQs on Scientific Name of the Brown Tree Snake
1. What is the scientific name for the Brown Tree Snake?
The scientific name for the Brown Tree Snake is Boiga irregularis. This name is assigned based on the principles of binomial nomenclature, which provides each species with a unique two-part scientific name recognised globally.
2. How do you correctly write a scientific name like Boiga irregularis?
According to the universal rules of binomial nomenclature, which are a key concept in the CBSE Class 11 Biology syllabus, a scientific name must be written in a specific way:
- The entire two-part name is written in italics when typed or underlined when handwritten.
- The first word, representing the Genus, always starts with a capital letter (e.g., Boiga).
- The second word, the specific epithet, starts with a lowercase letter (e.g., irregularis).
3. What are the main physical characteristics of a Brown Tree Snake?
The Brown Tree Snake is a slender, arboreal snake, typically growing up to 2 metres long. Key characteristics include its brownish to olive-green colour with darker, irregular crossbands, a disproportionately large head, and prominent, large eyes with vertical pupils, which are an adaptation for its nocturnal hunting behaviour.
4. Is the Brown Tree Snake venomous, and what is its effect on humans or pets?
Yes, the Brown Tree Snake is venomous. It is a rear-fanged snake, meaning its fangs are at the back of its mouth, and it typically needs to chew on its victim to inject venom effectively. While its venom can paralyse its small prey, it is generally not considered fatal to healthy adult humans. However, a bite can be painful, and it poses a more significant risk to small children and pets, potentially requiring medical attention.
5. What does the specific name 'irregularis' signify in Boiga irregularis?
The specific epithet 'irregularis' is Latin for "irregular." This name is a direct reference to the irregular pattern of dark, transverse bands or blotches on the snake's body. Unlike snakes with very uniform patterns, the markings on a Brown Tree Snake can vary significantly in shape, size, and spacing from one individual to another.
6. Where is the Brown Tree Snake originally from, and what is its native habitat?
The Brown Tree Snake is native to the coastal regions of eastern and northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and several islands in northwestern Melanesia. Its natural habitat is primarily tropical rainforests and woodlands. Being an arboreal species, it thrives in environments with dense tree cover, spending most of its life in trees and shrubs.
7. Why is the Brown Tree Snake an important example of an invasive species?
The Brown Tree Snake is a classic case study in ecology for its devastating impact as an invasive species. After being accidentally introduced to the island of Guam, which had no natural predators for the snake, its population grew uncontrollably. This led to the extinction of most of Guam's native forest bird species, caused frequent electrical outages by climbing power lines, and disrupted the island's ecosystem, demonstrating how a single species can cause an ecological catastrophe in a new environment.
