Question

The tropical island of Hawaii is virtually snake-free. Smugglers, seeking to make money, brought several crates of snakes to the island. Unfortunately, while traveling across the island, the truck carrying the snakes was in an accident. The crates were thrown from the truck and broke apart. Most of the snakes were never recovered. Would this have any affect on the ecosystem here? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Having a non-native species released into the wild risks the chance of it becoming invasive and possibly harming the population of other native prey species. It could also release parasites or illnesses it brought with it from its native land, which could infect the native species who have no way for their bodies to fight it/aren't immune to it.  

Answer 2

Yes this would change the ecosystem dramatically because it would introduce a new species of animal that was not native to the area and it may not be friendly to  the other animals and it may wipe out populations of native animals as well.