Genesis on Guam

Another version of Genesis

Guam has become Eden for brown tree snakes.

Guam is a US territory located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Micronesia region and is one of the Mariana Islands. Guam is situated about 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) east of the Philippines and 3,800 miles (6,100 kilometers) west of Hawaii. The island is located south of the Tropic of Cancer and has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 29 degrees Celsius) year-round.

Guam played an important role in World War II as a strategic location in the Pacific theater of operations. Prior to the war, Guam was a territory of the United States and was home to a significant military presence, including the US Navy and Marine Corps.

In December 1941, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Guam was invaded and occupied by Japanese forces. The US military launched a campaign to retake the island in July 1944, in what became known as the Battle of Guam. The battle lasted for several weeks and was characterized by intense fighting and heavy casualties on both sides. In the end, the US forces were successful in retaking the island, which served as a vital base for further operations in the Pacific.

After the war, Guam became an important center for military operations and logistics, including during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Today, the island remains home to several US military bases and serves as a hub for military operations in the region.

In the meantime, Guam has become an Edenic paradise for brown tree snakes.

Snakes in trees?

More bad news for birds?

Yup!

The snake is capable of climbing trees and other vertical surfaces with ease, thanks to its prehensile tail and specialized scales on its belly. The brown tree snake  is a slender, medium-sized snake that typically grows to be around 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 meters) in length. They have smooth, glossy scales that range in color from tan to dark brown, with irregular patterns of darker markings along the back and sides. The underside of the snake is cream-colored or yellowish.

The head of the brown tree snake is elongated and triangular in shape, with large eyes and narrow pupils. They have a distinctive, slightly upturned snout and relatively large, sharp teeth. 

Overall, the brown tree snake has a relatively unremarkable appearance, blending in well with the trees and foliage of its native and introduced habitats. However, its status as an invasive species and the significant ecological and economic harm it has caused on Guam have made it an existential problem.

Millions of brown tree snakes now call Guam Paradise . In contrast, as of 2021, the population of Guam was estimated to be around 170,000 people.

If we look at the situation from the reptile point of view, it's a wonderful story. If the snakes had a bible the first snakes to end up on Guam would be Adam and Eve. Nobody knows how they got there but pretty sure they were sleeping in some military equipment on another island and woke up in Paradise.

Let's call them Sha and Na.

Upon first awakening,  they struggled to adapt to their new environment and faced many challenges in finding food and shelter. However, over time, the snakes began to thrive on the island, taking advantage of the lack of natural predators and abundance of suitable habitat.

They went forth and multiplied. 

As the snake population grew, they began to transform the island into a paradise for their species. The trees provided plenty of food and shelter for the snakes, and the warm, tropical climate allowed them to thrive year-round. Nobody worried about wisdom or apples

At first, the people of Guam were not alarmed by the growing snake population and the trivial damage that they were causing. As time went on, the snakes became an accepted part of life on the island. Some even began to appreciate the beauty and grace of the snakes as they slithered through the trees and bushes.

The snakes had transformed Guam into a veritable Eden for their species. They had no natural predators and plenty of food and shelter, and they were able to live long, healthy lives. The island had become a paradise for the brown tree snake, and they continued to thrive there for generations to come.

Good news for the snakes...bad news for everybody else.

The brown tree snake has caused significant ecological and economic harm since its accidental introduction to Guam. Here are some of the ways in which they have impacted the island: Loss of biodiversity especially among the birds and lizards of Guam. The snake has caused millions of dollars to the infrastructure of the island including power outages. It has virtually eliminated the tourist trade. I mean who wants to go to Guam these days to see millions of snakes all over the place. You're not gonna hear this on Wheel of Fortune...."you have just won an all expense paid vacation on Guam."

Ironically, this is exactly what happened to the sleeping Sha and Na. They have obviously made the most of their vacation.

In the beginning