Posted by:
CMcC
at Wed Sep 28 10:45:34 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by CMcC ]
there are several reasons that it is very, very rare for carnivorous reptiles to take root in a new environment. one is temps. the temps generally have to be just like the environment that they are used to or they will die. for years florida residents have tried to keep nile monitors outdoors. they will do well for a year or two; then one night there's a cold snap and then in a few days they are all dead. another is that most reptiles eat amphibians. most local amphibians are poisonous to most animals except local reptiles that have grown tolerant to their toxins from living along side of them over the years. most u.s. wild rodents and many insects as well have ingested pesticides and poisons that man has put out to kill them. while not killing these vermine, imported reptiles that eat them usually die. this is one reason why carnivorous reptiles that do survive usually do it far, far away from man.
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RE: FL Press: Lethal lizard invades Florida - CMcC, Wed Sep 28 10:45:34 2005