Animal immigrants go native in U.S.



Animal immigrants go native in U.S.

NEW JERSEY, DEC 29: Hundreds of invasive animal species have established themselves in California, where many are capable of creating economic or ecological disasters, reported The Los Angeles Times on Thursday. These animal species arrived in many ways. Some were introduced as game, such as the wild turkey and the ring neck pheasant. Red fox escaped from fur farms. African clawed frogs were lab animals and pets. Green crabs are thought to have arrived in ballast water. Googleing delivered some more interesting facts about them to my laptop, including the fact that parakeets and parrots got here from the Indian sub-continent also - were set free into the wild through deliberate or accidental releases from homes, pet stores or aviaries. Here are a few of the animal immigrants that have become ubiquitous in California, according to LAT: House sparrow Range: Common throughout California in areas of human habitation. Facts: Detrimental to many native bird species because it takes over nest sites. Food: Searches on the ground and in foliage for insects, spiders, weed seeds, pieces of fruit, waste grain and bread crumbs. Readily comes to feeders for white millet and cracked corn. Hangout: Urban areas, parks, and open farmland. How it got here: Imported from Europe to the Eastern U.S. in the 1800s; believed to have come west with the railroads. First reported in the 1870s in the San Francisco Bay Area. Virginia opossum Range: Common in areas west of the Sierra in a variety of habitats including woodlands, agricultural and residential areas. Prefers areas near water sources. Facts: Only marsupial native to North America. Not considered a threat to native species; rarely lives longer than 18 months because of predation and run-ins with vehicles. They are nocturnal, solitary and nomadic. They "play possum" and seem dead to confuse predators. Hangout: Lives in virtually all areas, but prefers wooded land. How it got here: Believed to have been introduced in the San Jose area as a game animal (for its meat and pelt) in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Rock dove (common pigeon) Range: Throughout California except at the highest elevations and in very arid regions. Facts: Considered the No. 1 bird pest in the U.S. In captivity, pigeons can live up to 15 years, but about 30% of the wild population dies each year. In the nesting territory, both sexes are aggressive, pecking intruders on the head. In cities, these pigeons also eat popcorn, cake, peanuts, bread, and currants. Hangout: Wild rock doves nest in crevices along rocky seaside cliffs, close to agriculture or open shrub vegetation. Feral pigeons live in old farm buildings in rural areas. In cities, the skyscrapers tend to take the place of their natural cliff surroundings. How it got here: Native to Europe and North Africa, domesticated rock doves were believed to have been brought to North America by European settlers as early as the 1600s. It is now found throughout the world. Bullfrog Range: Widespread in the state near lakes, streams, irrigation ditches and ponds, except at very high elevations. It requires a permanent water source. Facts: Believed to be driving some native frog species to extinction. The largest true frog in North America, bullfrogs prey on insects, crustaceans, snakes, birds, mice and frogs, including other bullfrogs. They have a voracious appetite and will eat anything that it can swallow, including invertebrates and small vertebrates such as mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, even turtles and other frogs. But these guys are fairly simple as far as accommodations are concerned. Hangout: Bullfrogs are territorial and protect their territories by calls, displays, chases, jump attacks, and even wrestling. Male bullfrogs chorus at breeding ponds. Females also give aggressive calls and they respond to the breeding calls of the male frogs. Females are attracted to males with the territories that provide the most food. How it got here: In the late 1800s to early 1900s, for their meaty legs. House mouse Range: Almost anywhere there are people. Facts: Because of its affinity for living near people, it doesn't compete with native rodents. They are prolific breeders: they reach sexual maturity at 35 days, and have several 21-day pregnancies per year. They are typically aggressive to each other, and fighting is common, although females have an aggression inhibiting hormone in their urine to prevent attack from other mice. Hangout: They are typically found in areas near to human habitation and open fields. They are considered to be a major pest as they spoil a large amount of stored food and are a carrier of several diseases. How it got here: Native to Central Asia, but left the wilds to live around people with the development of agriculture and permanent settlements over 10,000 years ago. They arrived in North America in the baggage and stores of the early settlers. Spread with humans to much of the world. Parakeets and parrots Range: Southern California, Bakersfield, San Francisco Bay Area. Common species include the rose-ringed parakeet, red crowned parakeet and mitered parakeet. Facts: Not considered pests at this time. They eat fruit, seeds, insects. They can mimic few words like 'what you doing', 'hello sid', 'naughty boy', 'stupid'. They can also mimic telephone ring tones - they whistle back to when whistled at. They love human contact and company, follows you around the house, ...and enjoys eating fudge as a treat! Hangout: Forests and homes as pets. How they got here: Various species from Mexico, Central and South America, India and Africa were set free into the wild through deliberate or accidental releases from homes, pet stores or aviaries. Tailpiece: Part of the attraction of parrots and parakeets is their high intelligence, but this can make them unsuitable pets. The birds are often loud and they demand a great deal of attention, and many people who buy parrots give them up because of the frustrations of owning one of these complex birds. -- My Two Cents: We belong to the animal species too. Then why the Fences, Patriot Act, Temporary Guest Workers Program, Finger Printing, etc. Just because we are rubbing shoulders with others like us in the food chain? I would prefer being a parakeet. Stop the spin please! (Sources: LAT, Internet, Google, California Department of Fish and Game, California Parrot Project, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Columbia University Introduced Species Summary Project )

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