Night Lights Mean Lights-Out for Snakes

Artificial lighting helps humans play in the dark, but researchers think it might be hurting some animals' nighttime activities, particularly snakes.

Although scientists know very little about artificial lighting's effects on reptiles, they believe it may be affecting their nocturnal behavior. It could even be contributing to the declines of some reptile species.

Robert Fisher of the United States Geological Survey and Gad Perry of Texas Tech University, report that recent population declines in two southern California snakes may be attributed to night light pollution.

"Significant range reductions in California glossy snake and western long-nosed snake closely track the regions with increased light pollution, based on comparisons with historical distributions," Fisher said. "Declines in these species haven't been recorded for similar rural habitats in northern California where light pollution has not yet become and issue."

At the same time, the glossy snake's favorite prey, the Pacific pocket mouse, appears to be undergoing a similar decline, indicating that both predator and prey may be affected by night lighting.

While night lighting may be hurting these three species, Fisher and Perry note that other animals are making a killing thanks to artificial lights--several gecko species are finding bottomless buffets around bright lights, which attract moths.

This study is part of a new book titled "Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting."

--Bjorn Carey

Amazing Images: Science & Nature Photos from Our Readers

Credit: Chad Brown / USGS