Worsening Mouse Plague in Australia One of the Reasons Why Snakes are Aggressively Reproducing

In Australia's New South Wales, an infestation of mice has bred an abundance of sex-obsessed snakes. The snakes have now been driven to higher ground due to floods in the area, where they are more likely to come into contact with people and their property.

Australian Mouse Plague

Australia has long had mouse infestations. Records from 1900 suggest that these epidemics strike the nation on average every four to five years. The New South Wales epidemic last year was the worst in recent memory.

When British colonists arrived in Australia in 1788, mice first appeared there. The continent now experiences population booms and declines every few years. However, many farmers claim that the infestation this year is the worst they have ever seen, and there are no signs that it will soon diminish.

According to Steven Belmain, an ecologist at the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich in England who researches rodents' roles as agricultural pests and disease vectors, "the prolonged rain and the bumper crop of food means that the rodents have lots to eat for a very long time."

Scientific American interviewed Belmain to discuss how climate change has affected the infestation in Australia, if other regions of the world may experience similar outbreaks, and whether the current outbreak may contribute to the spread of disease.

Numerous families even had home losses due to fires believed to have been triggered by mice that chewed through an electrical wire. Thousands of mice landed on fields and residences around the state.

Also Read: Native Australian Species Might Go Extinct if Invasive Species Problem Goes Unsolved  

Snake Population Increase

The state's snake population is growing, so the mouse infestation is not all bad news.

A representative for the NSW Farmers Association told 7NEWS.com.au that the recent mouse epidemic "gave plenty of food for the state's snake numbers, with reports of an increase in size and quantity."

Due to stormy weather on Australia's east coast, the Australian Reptile Park warned of a bumper snake season this year in October. In addition to forcing them out of their underground tunnels, the rainy weather also drives their prey outside.

Many committee members have reported an increase in snake sightings, according to Sarah Thompson of the NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee, who asserted in a press release. It's been like this for a while, but only yesterday, one of our members reported seeing three black snakes close to her home in a short period of time.

Matt Stopford, a snake catcher, told NBN News that his job was growing daily when the snakes began looking for mates and food.

Reproducing at a Rapid Rate

The snakes are preparing to reproduce as the temperature warms up in the southern hemisphere, Billy Collett of the Australian Reptile Park told 7NEWS.com.au. They have ideal environmental conditions, plenty of food, and plenty of shelters-all the pieces are in place for them to start reproducing.

According to the Australian Reptile Park, hotter weather increases the likelihood of snakes entering houses and sheds as they seek refuge from the heat.

Thompson recommended locals maintain short lawns and avoid stacking up home things so they had somewhere to hide.

People should merely use common sense, she remarked. "Watch out and be extremely cautious!"

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