Invasive species alert sign — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Jules Johnson A study headed by scientists at the University of Florida sought to identify species that might be invasive to the state. The group of specialists examined 460 species, comprising scientists, government entities, and nonprofits. Based on their propensity to establish and proliferate throughout
Lionhead rabbits – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by haya.pictura People in Florida now have to contend with lionhead rabbits, another type of invasive animal, as if dealing with snakes and pythons wasn’t bad enough. Fortunately, these creatures are less harmful, but they are still disruptive enough that locals are looking for a solution to move
Green Iguana – Courtesy: Image by Scottslm from Pixabay In a unanimous vote Thursday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted on a new set of rules that would ban the commercial breeding practice and ownership of 16 “high-risk” reptiles in the state. The rule would allow current high-risk reptile owners to keep the
Burmese Python. Photo: Vince Adam/Shutterstock.com A new, exotic dish may soon be on your local restaurant’s menu—if they are safe to eat. Florida has had problems with combating invasive species for years due largely in part to its favorable climate, lush ecosystem, and the exotic pet trade. But no species has wrecked the ecosystem nearly
Argentine black and white tegu. Photo and Caption: Stan Kirkland/Florida FWC/www.fox13news.com The culprit is what is known as the Argentine Black and White Tegu and it is posing a real threat to wildlife in Florida and Georgia. The Argentine Black and White Tegu is the largest lizard of its species. It can grow up to
Peter’s Rock Agama spotted in Florida. Courtesy: Sean McKnight, UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology student. Florida is no stranger to invasive species of any kind: bugs, insects, reptiles, plants, you name it, we’ve got it. Earlier this year, Florida had a new character on the block, the Argentine Black and White Tegu, but this time, it’s the
Termites up close – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Witsawat.S The 15-by-4-foot plexiglass box initially appears to be a large work of art, perhaps an abstract representation of a leaf vein or a river delta. Then, however, you notice small, whitish objects scuttling along each vein as if they were white blood cells. Perched over
Muscovy ducks – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Maria Grin Muscovy ducks are primarily black and white with red coloring around their eyes. The Winter Park City Commission decided unanimously on Wednesday for a measure to send them on their way. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) classifies these Muscovy ducks as an invasive
Burmese Pythons — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Heiko Kiera Following several years of close speculation, invasive Burmese pythons have been spotted making their way up north in Florida. “We have finally, unhappily, sighted a Burmese python in the interior of the refuge,” University of Florida wildlife professor Frank Mazzotti, who heads Fort Lauderdale’s Croc Docs research team,
Image by Егор Камелев from Pixabay Genetically modified mosquitoes are like something out of a movie, and what better place for them to be released than in Florida… That’s right; the Florida Keys will soon be testing the effectiveness of genetically modified mosquitoes in small areas between mile markers 10 and 93 in an effort