Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There is an article in today's issue of the St Pete Times here in Florida about Nile monitors living in and around Cape Coral Florida. It is definitely worth a read (and discussion) for monitor owners in Florida and other parts of the country.

Here is the link to the article: http://www.stpetetimes.com/2003/09/26/Floridian/Enter_the_dragons.shtml

It could be the beginning of stricter regulations for owning a monitor, primarily because they are lizards of course. Something no one will ever admit to. Amazing how stray cats can wipe out entire species and little is done or publicized, but a lizard does it and it makes headline news.

I do feel something needs to be done about the population of Niles there to protect the native species, but I don't think it should entail making monitors a "permit only" animal or entirely illegal to own (as is suggested towards the end of the article).
http://www.stpetetimes.com/2003/09/26/Floridian/Enter_the_dragons.shtml

FR has written some interesting posts on this topic at varanus.net
You should cruise over there and check them out.

-Michelle

I can see alot of mistakes in that report. To study a species shouldn't you first send someone that knows more about them??

Secondly I doubt there are alot of niles running around eating dog's and cat's why would they there are alot less potentially deadly prey items around for them to feast on. The weather here is good enough for them to survive. They have a valid point but what part of FL. is not over run by an exotic plant, animal, human, etc.? There really is not much native anything in FL. so it may be a case of to little to late.

About the permit thing. It is true everyone here can buy a reptile but you are to have a pet only permit or a sellers or exhibitors permit.

There could be lots of ways those monitors escaped from a careless owner, to a caring owner that forgot to close the cage. Or maybe a hurricane hit the house they were living in setting them free. If they do there study right and are euthanizing them I am sure in time they may catch up and wipe them out. If not then I guess they will just be added to the growing list of non native fauna and flora of FL..