Unlike other islands, the area of Dalian Snake Island is less than 1 km2, and the whole island is composed of quartzite and seasonal sandstone. The slope of Snake Island is from northwest to southeast, with steep terrain, overgrown shrubs and nearly 20,000 poisonous snakes. The biggest difference from other snake islands is that there are a large number of vipers in Dalian Snake Island, which is called "the kingdom of vipers", making Dalian the only island in the world where only a single viper exists, which is why few people dare to go to this island so far.
1. How did the Snake Island form?
Some netizens can't help but ask: "How was the Snake Island in Dalian formed? Were there these poisonous snakes from the beginning? " A long time ago, this position west of Laotieshan in Dalian was not an island, but a small mountain peak connected with Dalian land. Because Dalian has a mild climate, neither cold in winter nor hot in summer, and the air is humid all the year round, these small peaks have lush vegetation and become an animal kingdom. There are not only docile herbivores here, but also fierce carnivorous large animals. Under the blue sky and white clouds, these animals live leisurely here and continue to multiply.
However, the good times did not last long. One day, there was a landslide and all the peaks were surrounded by the sea. The steep cliff turned this place into an "island" in the sea, and the animal paradise kingdom became a hell. Although some animals survived, they still did not escape the fate of death. This isolated island has become a battlefield without smoke. After the earthquake, there is no fresh water resources on the island, and the vegetation here is getting less and less. Herbivores can't run, they are hungry and constantly become the target of carnivores.
In this vicious circle, herbivores almost died out on this small island, and fierce carnivores began to kill each other. In just a few months, almost all the animals on the island disappeared, and only one creature survived, that is, the viper.
Because Agkistrodon halys is a creature with strong endurance, it has not been harmed in this orogeny. When animals kill each other, poisonous snakes can hide in caves to avoid this war without smoke. Although some vipers died in large numbers because of long-term lack of food, some survived. Migratory birds can continue to fly over the sea when they pass by here in autumn and are ready to replenish food and energy. Unexpectedly, they have become the food of the viper, which makes the viper seem to see hope, because with migratory birds, it means food. This also gives vipers the habit of preying on land birds.
Snake Island has experienced many hardships since it was discovered.
So when was this snake island discovered? The discovery of Dalian Snake Island can be traced back to 1930s. At that time, the island was dark at night. In order to build a lighthouse and point out the direction for ships sailing at night, the staff specially came to explore the site. Unexpectedly, several responsible persons who went to the site selection were frightened. When they first arrived on the island, they found a large number of poisonous snakes crawling at will. After fleeing, information about this snake island spread and became the most famous snake island.
It is worth mentioning that since the news of a large number of poisonous snakes came from Snake Island, the Japanese invaders took great interest in it. After 193 1 landed on Snake Island, the Japanese army began to destroy the ecology of Snake Island and kill poisonous snakes at will. According to historical records, in 1937, the Japanese went to the island to catch more than 7,000 snakes.
3. Agkistrodon halys is a highly toxic animal.
In nature, the existence of each species has a certain reason. In the environment of survival of the fittest, creatures continue to multiply, including vipers. Agkistrodon halys multiply in Snake Island. They are also called "local male snakes", with a body length of 60.70 cm, a slightly Yangtze River Delta-shaped head, a taupe to brown back and two longitudinal circular spots on the back. Because of its extremely fast crawling speed, it has to be called "flying on the grass". Agkistrodon is highly toxic. According to network records, its 1g venom can kill 1000 rabbits, and only 0. 1g venom can kill people. Agkistrodon halys is a small poisonous snake with the largest number, which is distributed all over China.
4. Agkistrodon halys has regular activity, fast breeding speed and special breeding mode.
We all know that snakes are oviparous animals. Like chickens, they hatch by temperature. After the fertilized egg matures, the Agkistrodon halys will give birth to an embryo until the egg hatches and the snake is excreted. In order to adapt to the living environment on the island, Agkistrodon halys gave birth to relatively small snakes. After being born, these young snakes will go up trees to catch birds and eat centipedes, mice and so on.
If we humans have regular schedules, so do animals. The activities of Agkistrodon halys are extremely regular. In the morning, they will climb the rocks or tree trunks one after another until noon, then continue to hunt out of the cave around 3 pm, and then return to the cave after sunset. Agkistrodon's activities are just like our human commuting. Of course, the activity frequency of Agkistrodon halys is also related to the peak of birds. The more birds appear, the more activities the viper will have.
There are the largest number of Agkistrodon halys in Shedao, Dalian, which is also famous at home and abroad. In the fifth census, the staff preliminarily counted the number of Agkistrodon halys in Shedao as "17569- 19739". Compared with the statistics of previous years, the annual growth of staff vipers is about 1000. So why are there so many poisonous snakes on this isolated island?
1. The geographical location of Snake Island is suitable for the breeding and survival of Agkistrodon halys.
The biggest difference from other islands is that Dalian Snake Island is mainly composed of quartzite and seasonal sandstone. Every layer of rock here has many cracks of different sizes, which provides a good living place for the viper. With a stable and suitable living space, Agkistrodon halys will thrive here.
2. Temperate maritime climate is the only place for migratory birds to migrate.
Because the island is located in Bohai Sea, Dalian, the climate here belongs to temperate maritime climate, which is neither cold in winter nor hot in summer, with humid air and many lush vegetation. In addition, it is the only way for migratory birds to migrate every year, which is beneficial to the growth of birds and vegetation. Therefore, in this good environment, the number of Agkistrodon halys has become more and more, and the island has become a paradise for Agkistrodon halys to breed and inhabit, and has become the real overlord on the island!
There are no natural enemies on the island, which makes poisonous snakes have nothing to fear.
In nature, all food chains are interlocking, and every living thing has its own natural enemies. Surprisingly, Agkistrodon halys has no natural enemies (hedgehogs, snakes, etc.). ) In Dalian Snake Island, due to the loose rock and soil layer on the island, it is especially beneficial for the viper to dig holes. The color of the viper's body is very similar to the color of the trunk. They breed very fast, and small snakes can live independently after birth. After losing natural enemies, it is more conducive to the reproduction of Agkistrodon halys, and they are increasingly prosperous.
4, the survival of the fittest, can hibernate and sleep in summer.
In order to adapt to the living environment, Agkistrodon halys has developed the ability of hibernating in summer. Throughout the year, they only need to hunt according to the spring and autumn of migratory birds. For Agkistrodon halys, spring and autumn are the seasons when they wake up to hunt, and these two seasons are also the seasons when a large number of migratory birds migrate. After a good meal in spring and autumn, you can go straight to bed in summer and winter. Because of this special growth mode, their survival rate is high and their vitality is becoming more and more tenacious, even if they don't eat anything for a year.
Why are there only so many poisonous snakes in Snake Island and no other "brothers and sisters"?
As we have already introduced, Snake Island was formed after orogeny. After many animals died out one after another, Agkistrodon halys was the only survivor. In the snake family, the viper is the most patient one, and it can be called "King Kong Warrior". No matter how bad the environment is, they can adapt! After this orogenic movement, other "brothers and sisters" of Agkistrodon died one after another, and only Agkistrodon survived alone. What shall we do without food? The viper chooses hibernation and summer sleep, and wakes up when the migratory birds move. Agkistrodon halys survive in large numbers in this special environment! They are like "invincible cockroaches". The worse the environment, the more you can practice your skills. The skill of "catching birds" was developed in a bad environment.
Although Agkistrodon halys is very toxic, it has extremely high medicinal value, which is also the reason why Agkistrodon halys often suffer from man-made disasters! Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica records that Agkistrodon halys is flat in nature and sweet in taste, and its meat can cure epilepsy, abdominal pain and qi stagnation. Its bile tastes bitter and slightly sweet; It has the effects of promoting qi circulation, eliminating phlegm, expelling wind and removing dampness, cooling and improving eyesight, nourishing liver and benefiting gallbladder. It has a miraculous effect on treating cough with excessive phlegm, liver heat with red eyes, acute rheumatoid arthritis and hemorrhoids.
For us humans, we should respect the laws of nature. It is a blessing for poisonous snakes and other creatures living in Dalian Snake Island to become a nature reserve. Such an island is famous for its poisonous snakes, and we should be proud of it. Without killing, there will be no harm. We have experienced many natural and man-made disasters, and we should learn from them!