For this reason we encourage anglers to target and harvest Northern Snakehead when captured.Īlthough it is doubtful that complete eradication can be achieved, control efforts have been successful. We have learned that harvest by anglers can remove over 25% of the local population, which goes a long way toward reducing snakehead numbers. For example, we have been studying the fish community in the Blackwater River drainage to assess changes following establishment of Northern Snakehead. We are monitoring the status of snakehead populations in several Chesapeake Bay tributaries, and are studying whether they can be controlled through removal. Learn more about invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars. The Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office is working with state and federal partners to determine the most effective way to reduce the spread of this invasive species invasive speciesĪn invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Authorities in all states are working to control snakehead populations, and prevent colonization of additional waterways. Northern Snakehead is listed as an injurious species under the Lacey Act, meaning it cannot be possessed or transported live. Northern Snakeheads have also been found in rivers in NY, PA, and AK. Soon after in 2004, snakeheads were found in the Potomac River, and have since been found throughout nearly all of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In 2002, they were first found in a pond in Crofton, MD. Get animals in your inbox! Sign up to receive Zoo emails.Northern Snakehead is native to Asia but has successfully colonized the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This story appears in the September 2021 issue of National Zoo News.
Snakeheads are a prime example of how invasive species can upset the delicate balance of local ecosystems. At the same time, populations of local frogs and fish that they prey upon have declined. With no natural predators to keep this aggressive, carnivorous fish in check, their populations have boomed. It is likely snakeheads were imported from overseas, then unlawfully released. Snakeheads are native to Southern Siberia, China and North Korea, but they were first spotted in waterways around the Washington, D.C., area in 2002. Our snakehead fish are ambassadors for their species, and they serve as an important reminder of why people should never release unwanted animals-especially non-native species-into the wild. If they aren’t swimming around when you first approach the exhibit, look closely at the bottom or in between the rock crevices-they are likely resting there! What do you hope visitors learn from meeting these fish? Snakeheads sport scales that are brown with dark, irregular blotches. Our only male seems quite shy and hides most of the time. Our most dominant female always eats first. When they notice keepers opening the door above the tank, they will swim up to the top and wait to be fed. The females often hunt for food together. They will even eat worms off of a feed stick! What are their personalities like? At the Zoo, we feed them mostly goldfish and crayfish.
In the wild, they eat fish that are up to one-third their own body length, as well as frogs, beetles and dragonfly larvae. I’ve never worked with fish before, so taking care of them is all new to me! Feeding the snakeheads has been a fun and interesting experience. This enables it to survive for up to four days on land! What do you enjoy most about working with them?
On land, it can take a big gulp of air through its mouth and continue to breathe, thanks to a specialized chamber next to its gills. Underwater, a snakehead absorbs oxygen through its gills, just like other fish. Snakehead fish have evolved to “walk” on land! They propel themselves forward by moving their head and back fin in opposite directions. What is your favorite fact about snakeheads? Get acquainted with this aquatic species from assistant curator of giant pandas Laurie Thompson. Recently, Asia Trail keepers welcomed four snakeheads-one male and three females-into their care. With an aggressive attitude, an eager appetite for fish and the ability to “walk” on land, the northern snakehead fish is a powerful predator.
0 kommentar(er)
