Because the human-kind like to travel and takes with him ( her ) - loads of animals - wanted and unwanted - feral populations of all kind of animal now can be found outside their natural habitats. In this thread we can place information about feral populations. To start with a cichlid-species: Introduced cichlid in Brazil : Heterotilapia buttikoferi (Hubrecht, 1881) (Perciformes: Cichlidae), an introduced exotic fish in the upper Paraná river basin
I am unsure if this is true or not but I have been told that there is a feral population of coatis in the Lake District that have escaped from South Lakes Zoo.
A well known case is the Burmese Pythons in the Florida Everglades but there have been reports of other exotic reptiles. These include Nile Monitors Green Iguana Argentine Black and White Tegu African Rock Python Green Anaconda Spectacled Caiman Even slight but not yet proven cases of Nile Crocodiles in the Everglades as well. Another case includes Spectacled Caimans being introduced to Cuba and around Zapata Swamp.Because this species is highly adaptable,it is feared that they could endanger the already Critically Endagered endemic Cuban Crocodile population.
None of the examples listed in this thread so far are feral - they are all introduced populations. A feral species is a domesticated species that has left domesticity and returned to the wild, like cats, dogs, horses, pigs etc. Hix
It is indeed true - seen one of the buggers myself - although I believe the population never really recovered from a harsh winter around 2010 and is now hanging on by a fingernail.
Would, say, a selectively-bred snake colour morph be considered feral then? Such as the albino California Kingsnakes eating their way through native lizards on Gran Canaria?
No. Snakes are not really considered a domesticated species (although there are some people who consider 'domesticated' = 'pet'). And just because they have been bred in captivity for a few generations for a specific colour doesn't make them domesticated either, otherwise all the white tigers would be considered domesticated too. Incidentally, despite the fact the word is used universally by herpetoculturists, albino snakes are not actually albinos as they usually have some pigment (frequently yellow). Amelanistic is the correct term. Hix
well that is interesting, as, now that you mention it, although I have seen many snakes labelled as 'amelanistic' and 'albino' in shops, shows and private collections, I can't think of any species where I have seen specimens of labelled as both. Thank you for that interesting fact.
