ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida residents are no strangers to invasive reptiles, from the iguanas that fall out of trees in the winter, to the Burmese Pythons slithering through the Everglades.
However, one species has been dubbed by the USGS as the largest, most dangerous invasive lizard in all of Florida — as well as the United States.
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And that species is V. niloticus: the Nile monitor.
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
According to the FWC, Nile monitors first came to Florida via the pet trade as early as 1981, with populations now firmly established in places like Lee and Palm Beach counties.
The Nile monitor is actually the largest lizard species in Africa, possibly growing up to over 6 feet and weighing just short of 18 pounds.
By competing with and preying on native species, these semi-aquatic lizards pose a big threat to many native animals, including sea turtles, wading birds, gopher tortoises and even American crocodiles.
They’ve also been known to attack small pets and livestock.
Between their huge size, sharp teeth and claws, and strong jaws, Nile monitors also pose a big threat to humans, especially considering they’ll lash out and defend themselves if they feel threatened.
Their burrows can also erode and collapse sidewalks, seawalls and canal banks, making them a big hassle for local infrastructure.
As a result of these issues, the Nile monitor was added to the state’s prohibited species list, meaning that future possession of these animals is limited only to purposes like research and education.
WHERE ARE THEY FOUND?
In the wild, Nile monitors can often be found basking on rocks close to the water, as they’re mostly active during the day.
But while they’ve most commonly been spotted in South Florida, FWC officials say that reported sightings have spanned across much of the state.
Worse yet, experts say there’s a potential for Nile monitors to expand throughout Florida and other Gulf states.
“The Nile monitor’s high reproduction rate, diverse diet, and ability to travel over land and in fresh and saltwater allows for potential establishment throughout Florida, particularly in coastal areas dominated by mangroves or salt marshes,” experts write.
According to experts, the following areas of the state have recorded sightings of these lizards:
| County | Reported Sightings |
|---|---|
| Lee | 1,616 |
| Palm Beach | 299 |
| Miami-Dade | 76 |
| Broward | 68 |
| Collier | 27 |
| Pinellas | 11 |
| Sarasota | 10 |
| Charlotte | 8 |
| Hillsborough | 8 |
| Polk | 6 |
| St. Lucie | 5 |
| Brevard | 4 |
| Manatee | 4 |
| Monroe | 4 |
| Orange | 4 |
| Alachua | 3 |
| Hendry | 2 |
| Osceola | 2 |
| Pasco | 2 |
| Clay | 1 |
| Columbia | 1 |
| Dixie | 1 |
| Duval | 1 |
| Flagler | 1 |
| Hardee | 1 |
| Indian River | 1 |
| Lake | 1 |
| Marion | 1 |
| Martin | 1 |
| Okeechobee | 1 |
| Seminole | 1 |
| Suwannee | 1 |
| Volusia | 1 |
WHAT CAN I DO?
If you live near affected areas, you can remove excess debris and maintain your yard to help ward off Nile monitor lizards.
That said, you shouldn’t try to catch a Nile monitor you see in the wild. Instead, the FWC urges residents to report Nile monitor sightings by taking a picture, noting the location, and reporting the information using the free IveGot1 mobile app (or alternatively calling 888-483-4681).