General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsInvasion of big, voracious lizards threatens U.S. South
A group of South American lizards that can grow up to four feet long (1.2 meters) has established a home in the Florida wild after being brought to the United States as pets, and the reptiles could begin a voracious march across the U.S. South, according to a new study.
Armed with strong jaws and tails that they can wield as thumping weapons, the lizards in Florida devour the eggs of American alligators and ground-nesting birds, wildlife officials said. The reptiles also have a taste for insects, fruit and birds.
... local wild populations of breeding tegu lizards are found in at least two counties, Miami-Dade and Hillsborough, home to Tampa, while there have been sightings in other parts of the state, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Tegu lizards could expand into an area from the Carolinas to Central Texas, according to the scientific report published in July on the website for the journal Nature. On private lands, Florida hunters without a license are allowed to kill tegu lizards if it is done humanely. On public lands, the state is trying to get rid of the lizards through traps.
https://tinyurl.com/yau3m783
Bayard
(22,100 posts)I like lizards, but don't think I'd want to meet up with that guy in a dark alley.
Moostache
(9,895 posts)Girard442
(6,075 posts)Could it be that tropical species introduced into North America might have not been a problem in the past because they couldn't thrive in the climate -- but now they do?
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)I thought there should be a trumpster joke in there somewhere. My buddy summers in Florida they have billboards referring to Trump as "the big guy"... slimy lizards spreading across the south is right... and I thought midwest rednecks were bad.
global1
(25,253 posts)a tourist at Disney World in Orlando is attacked.
dameatball
(7,398 posts)lizards could indeed expand northward over time.
I had read that the native born pythons also have a higher ability to survive cold temperatures then those first generation "pets" released after being purchased from pet shops or wherever. So the range they are expected to expand is also greater than just Florida. I would think the generational differences might also apply to lizards.
rusty fender
(3,428 posts)Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park.
rusty fender: oh shit, oh shit, oh shit