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According to Nassim Taleb, when all the lions were killed in the Middle East, the goats multiplied, and they apparently love tree roots, which led to the Middle

According to Nassim Taleb, when all the lions were killed in the Middle East, the goats multiplied, and they apparently love tree roots, which led to the Middle East turning into desert (not sure if it's true, but he says it is and I'm inclined to believe it). Does anyone know what could be some unintended negative consequences of exterminating all snakes? It always amazes me that in North America, they exterminated Wolves from most of place, and so were able to create a safe working environment for farming. Although the deer population is a little out of control, it's not a as bad as goats turning the land into desert.

acveilleux 10y ago
To a large extent, humans took the place of wolves (and other predators) in North America.
- hga 10y ago
  Exactly, we are the apex predator, even if deer are the most deadly animal in the US (from car crashes). I can't quickly find any details on the total annual harvest, but it looks like there are about 10 million of us hunting deer every year. And in general we control the populations of various animals in all sorts of ways (sometimes unfortunate ones, e.g. changes in farming practices have virtually eliminated quail hunting in my part of SW Missouri).
sravfeyn 10y ago
Snakes kill rodents that transmit various diseases (mentioned in the article)
- zeveb 10y ago
  Could domestic animals (e.g. cats & dogs) keep the rodent populations in check? Would they get out of hand?
  - tunap 10y ago
    Perhaps if it was managed properly, ie: spay/neuter before release & replenish the 'supply', as needed. For example, without natural predators the Hawaiian islands are now swarming with feral cats, albeit theirs started as a human problem(abandonment): https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=hawaii+cat+problem&gbv=1&prmd=ivns&tbas=0&source=lnt&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjYgcaDhe3OAhVM2WMKHdVPBysQpwUIDQ https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=hawaii+cat+problem&gbv...

acveilleux 10y ago

To a large extent, humans took the place of wolves (and other predators) in North America.

hga 10y ago
Exactly, we are the apex predator, even if deer are the most deadly animal in the US (from car crashes). I can't quickly find any details on the total annual harvest, but it looks like there are about 10 million of us hunting deer every year. And in general we control the populations of various animals in all sorts of ways (sometimes unfortunate ones, e.g. changes in farming practices have virtually eliminated quail hunting in my part of SW Missouri).

sravfeyn 10y ago

Snakes kill rodents that transmit various diseases (mentioned in the article)

zeveb 10y ago
Could domestic animals (e.g. cats & dogs) keep the rodent populations in check? Would they get out of hand?
- tunap 10y ago
  Perhaps if it was managed properly, ie: spay/neuter before release & replenish the 'supply', as needed. For example, without natural predators the Hawaiian islands are now swarming with feral cats, albeit theirs started as a human problem(abandonment): https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=hawaii+cat+problem&gbv=1&prmd=ivns&tbas=0&source=lnt&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjYgcaDhe3OAhVM2WMKHdVPBysQpwUIDQ https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=hawaii+cat+problem&gbv...