FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Florida is well known for its record-holding alligators, but there’s another scaly predator that has quietly expanded into the Florida Everglades, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
In a release, experts with the University of Florida identified the creature as the spectacled caiman, a small invasive crocodile-like reptile that was likely introduce to the state via the exotic pet trade, with established populations being documented since the 1980s.
Researchers in Fort Lauderdale said that this is a major problem, as these caimans may complicate the largest wetland project in the history of the country — the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
The CERP is designed to restore and protect the Everglades, with billions of dollars going toward preserving the region’s ecosystem.
But in a recent study, experts began examining spectacled caimans to determine what sorts of environmental impacts they may be having.
“We now know the spectacled caiman is established in more areas than we previously thought. We also know that spectacled caimans are more adaptable than we previously understood,” said Sergio Balaguera-Reina, the study’s lead author. “We still lack basic information about how this species may affect Everglades ecosystems. That is one of the most striking findings from this work.”
Per the UF/IFAS, researchers still don’t know whether Everglades restoration efforts might make this area more habitable for caimans, meaning that more research is needed to figure out how restoration could impact native alligators, crocodiles and other wildlife.
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“We think caimans in Florida may move more than populations in their native range because of dry-down conditions in the Everglades,” Balaguera-Reina added. “This could potentially mean that they can disperse faster than we expect.”
UF/IFAS researchers said their study pulled together more than 70 years of existing research to create the first comprehensive review of the invasive species, including what’s known about its biology, ecology and distribution in Florida — and what’s still unknown.
They said the findings show the animal is established in more places than previously believed, underscoring the need for continued management before the population becomes harder to control.
To fill in the gaps, researchers said they’re tracking spectacled caimans to better understand how they move through the Everglades and what habitats they’re using. Future work could include satellite-tagging female caimans to locate nesting areas and building environmental DNA tools that would help identify new populations before they become established, UF/IFAS said.
Researchers also urged the public to be on the lookout, saying early reports can help agencies respond faster and map where the reptiles are spreading. People can report spectacled caiman sightings through the IVEGOT1 app, by calling (888) 483-4681, or by submitting reports through the EDDMapS website here.