Latest news with #ecosystem
Wall Street Journal
10 hours ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
The Driver of Apple's Exploding Valuation Is Under Threat. See What's at Stake.
Apple AAPL 0.08%increase; green up pointing triangle sold the same number of iPhones in 2024 as it did in 2015, according to IDC. But Apple stock has jumped ninefold in that time. One reason for the continued run in the shares has been the various services Apple sells to people living their digital lives in its ecosystem.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
These 5 Florida lakes are most ‘snake-infested' waters in the entire state, ranking says
Reptiles and Florida might as well be synonymous, especially when it comes to our slithering neighbors. According to the WorldAtlas, Florida has 46 native species of snakes, as well as four invasive species — and don't forget the six categories of venomous snakes in the state. "The state of Florida is a hotbed for snake activity. Lush ecosystems spread across a mix of tropical and subtropical climates are tailor-made for these cold-blooded slitherers," the geography website states, adding that snakes are a vital part of our ecosystem. We have more in common with these scaly serpents than we realize. Snakes and humans both love to seek out bodies of water to cool down in the sweltering summers. However, before you go swimming in your local lake, which is already questionable due to our massive alligator population, make sure it isn't also known for its large number of snakes. The Lakes of the Everglades It wouldn't be a list of the most "snake-infested" lakes without the Everglades popping up. WorldAtlas highlighted the lakes of South Florida's national park mainly for their large, unwelcome inhabitant — the Burmese python. These invasive species have dominated the waters within the Everglades for decades. "Because of a combination of intentional releases by dissatisfied pet owners (pythons are popular exotic pets in this region) and 1992's Hurricane Andrew destroying a breeding facility (which released untold specimens into nearby swamps), the population of these snakes has grown at unmanageable rates," the report shares. "Given their overwhelming reproductive habits and the fact that they can grow to over 15 feet in length and weigh over 200 pounds, these stealthy constrictors constitute one of the worst-case examples of invasive species on the planet." Besides the Burmese python, here are some other species you'll find in the Everglades, with those highlighted being venomous: Coral Snake Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Eastern Garter Snake Eastern Indigo Snake Florida Brown Snake Florida Cottonmouth Pygmy Rattlesnake Rat Snake Lake Okeechobee Moving a smidge north, we're highlighting the largest lake in the state, Lake Okeechobee. It is the tenth-largest freshwater lake in the country. When compared to freshwater lakes contained entirely within the U.S. boundary, it becomes the second-largest lake, surpassed only by Lake Michigan. This 730-square-mile, shallow body of water, situated in the South-Central part of the state, is famous for its largemouth bass and speckled perch, as well as bluegills, Okeechobee catfish, and black crappies. However, other less-popular creatures also lurk nearby. Central and Southern Florida have roughly 34 native species (four of which are venomous) and three invasive species of snakes. With that said, WorldAtlas says the most commonly sighted snakes are Florida green watersnakes, brown watersnakes, the Eastern kingsnake, Brahminy blind snakes, and the Florida king snake. Lake Seminole Northwest of state capital Tallahassee is Florida's Lake Seminole (not to be confused with Lake Seminole on the West coast of Central Florida) is a long and narrow reservoir. Forty-five out of the state's 46 known native species and all six of the venomous varieties are found in the region. WorldAtlas says three different rattlesnakes are reported around Lake Seminole: timber, diamondback, and pygmy. Cottonmouths (also known as the water moccasin) are also found around the lake, sometimes confused with non-venomous watersnakes. Lake Iamonia Leon County's Lake Iamonia is a seven-mile-long prairie lake that drains through a natural sinkhole during dry seasons and reforms when the rains return (despite an unsuccessful attempt at damming and regulating the levels between 1939 and 1980). WorldAtlas states that the lake is popular among photographers, paddlers, and nature lovers. Identified species include banded watersnakes, Florida green watersnakes, cottonmouths, Eastern kingsnakes, corn snakes, red-bellied snakes, Southern ribbon snakes, ringneck snakes, and scarlet snakes. Lake Talquin North Florida's Lake Talquin is our final stop. This former floodplain-turned-manmade reservoir west of Tallahassee is well-stocked with fish and birds, along with their slithering companions. Cottonmouths, red-bellied watersnakes, and brown watersnakes are the big three commonly found in this 15-square-mile lake and around its 40 miles of shoreline, according to WorldAtlas. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida snake population highest in these 5 lakes, study shows Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Otters on river banks 'sign of good ecosystem'
Regular sightings of otters on a river are a sign of a healthy local ecosystem, a charity has said. The Wear Rivers Trust said evidence of the mammals living on the River Deerness in County Durham showed the area was home to a diverse range of wildlife. A local resident spotted otters 38 times on his trail camera last year, while environmental groups regularly find otter droppings - known as spraints - in the area. The charity's volunteering and engagement office, Daniel Rutland, said the "apex predators" were a "flagship species" and their presence meant there were lots of other animals around. "Being apex predators they need a good food supply - that's the reason they're there," he said. "Everything from plants through to insects and fish need to be there to be sufficient food for the otter." 'Good news' As well as being a sign of a strong ecosystem, otters also increase biodiversity by eating fish, which feed on insect larvae, allowing insects such as dragonflies to develop. Mr Rutland said it was hard to know how many otters lived there because their territories often covered 12 to 18 miles (19.3 to 28.9km) of a riverbank. "It could be just one or two otters or a family that cover the whole river and with a really healthy river you could have more than that," he said. "But we'll take the good news and enjoy it." Despite the positive signs of wildlife, The rivers trust estimates only about 15% of rivers in England are ecologically healthy. The River Deerness was last tested by the Environment Agency in 2019 and was given a poor rating for its ecological quality. "There's a long way to go yet to be able to say that any water course is healthy," Mr Rutland said. "But nature is resilient and we just celebrate every sign that there's life and there's recovery." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Related stories The 'pioneer' otter with a special love story Otter and cub spotted playing in city river Diesel river spill 'could affect native crayfish' Related internet links Wear Rivers Trust
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
These 5 Florida lakes are most ‘snake-infested' waters in the entire state, 2 are in PBC
Reptiles and Florida might as well be synonymous, especially when it comes to our slithering neighbors. According to the WorldAtlas, Florida has 46 native species of snakes, as well as four invasive species — and don't forget the six categories of venomous snakes in the state. "The state of Florida is a hotbed for snake activity. Lush ecosystems spread across a mix of tropical and subtropical climates are tailor-made for these cold-blooded slitherers," the geography website states, adding that snakes are a vital part of our ecosystem. We have more in common with these scaly serpents than we realize. Snakes and humans both love to seek out bodies of water to cool down in the sweltering summers. However, before you go swimming in your local lake, which is already questionable due to our massive alligator population, make sure it isn't also known for its large number of snakes. The Lakes of the Everglades It wouldn't be a list of the most "snake-infested" lakes without the Everglades popping up. WorldAtlas highlighted the lakes of South Florida's national park mainly for their large, unwelcome inhabitant — the Burmese python. These invasive species have dominated the waters within the Everglades for decades. "Because of a combination of intentional releases by dissatisfied pet owners (pythons are popular exotic pets in this region) and 1992's Hurricane Andrew destroying a breeding facility (which released untold specimens into nearby swamps), the population of these snakes has grown at unmanageable rates," the report shares. "Given their overwhelming reproductive habits and the fact that they can grow to over 15 feet in length and weigh over 200 pounds, these stealthy constrictors constitute one of the worst-case examples of invasive species on the planet." Besides the Burmese python, here are some other species you'll find in the Everglades, with those highlighted being venomous: Coral Snake Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Eastern Garter Snake Eastern Indigo Snake Florida Brown Snake Florida Cottonmouth Pygmy Rattlesnake Rat Snake Lake Okeechobee Moving a smidge north, we're highlighting the largest lake in the state, Lake Okeechobee. It is the tenth-largest freshwater lake in the country. When compared to freshwater lakes contained entirely within the U.S. boundary, it becomes the second-largest lake, surpassed only by Lake Michigan. This 730-square-mile, shallow body of water, situated in the South-Central part of the state, is famous for its largemouth bass and speckled perch, as well as bluegills, Okeechobee catfish, and black crappies. However, other less-popular creatures also lurk nearby. Central and Southern Florida have roughly 34 native species (four of which are venomous) and three invasive species of snakes. With that said, WorldAtlas says the most commonly sighted snakes are Florida green watersnakes, brown watersnakes, the Eastern kingsnake, Brahminy blind snakes, and the Florida king snake. Lake Seminole Northwest of state capital Tallahassee is Florida's Lake Seminole (not to be confused with Lake Seminole on the West coast of Central Florida) is a long and narrow reservoir. Forty-five out of the state's 46 known native species and all six of the venomous varieties are found in the region. WorldAtlas says three different rattlesnakes are reported around Lake Seminole: timber, diamondback, and pygmy. Cottonmouths (also known as the water moccasin) are also found around the lake, sometimes confused with non-venomous watersnakes. Lake Iamonia Leon County's Lake Iamonia is a seven-mile-long prairie lake that drains through a natural sinkhole during dry seasons and reforms when the rains return (despite an unsuccessful attempt at damming and regulating the levels between 1939 and 1980). WorldAtlas states that the lake is popular among photographers, paddlers, and nature lovers. Identified species include banded watersnakes, Florida green watersnakes, cottonmouths, Eastern kingsnakes, corn snakes, red-bellied snakes, Southern ribbon snakes, ringneck snakes, and scarlet snakes. Lake Talquin North Florida's Lake Talquin is our final stop. This former floodplain-turned-manmade reservoir west of Tallahassee is well-stocked with fish and birds, along with their slithering companions. Cottonmouths, red-bellied watersnakes, and brown watersnakes are the big three commonly found in this 15-square-mile lake and around its 40 miles of shoreline, according to WorldAtlas. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida snake population highest in these 5 lakes, study shows Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
a day ago
- Science
- BBC News
River Deerness otters 'sign of a resilient ecosystem'
Regular sightings of otters on a river are a sign of a healthy local ecosystem, a charity has Wear Rivers Trust said evidence of the mammals living on the River Deerness in County Durham showed the area was home to a diverse range of wildlife.A local resident spotted otters 38 times on his trail camera last year, while environmental groups regularly find otter droppings - known as spraints - in the charity's volunteering and engagement office, Daniel Rutland, said the "apex predators" were a "flagship species" and their presence meant there were lots of other animals around. "Being apex predators they need a good food supply - that's the reason they're there," he said. "Everything from plants through to insects and fish need to be there to be sufficient food for the otter." 'Good news' As well as being a sign of a strong ecosystem, otters also increase biodiversity by eating fish, which feed on insect larvae, allowing insects such as dragonflies to Rutland said it was hard to know how many otters lived there because their territories often covered 12 to 18 miles (19.3 to 28.9km) of a riverbank."It could be just one or two otters or a family that cover the whole river and with a really healthy river you could have more than that," he said. "But we'll take the good news and enjoy it." Despite the positive signs of wildlife, The rivers trust estimates only about 15% of rivers in England are ecologically River Deerness was last tested by the Environment Agency in 2019 and was given a poor rating for its ecological quality."There's a long way to go yet to be able to say that any water course is healthy," Mr Rutland said. "But nature is resilient and we just celebrate every sign that there's life and there's recovery." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
