I think the point that Sam was trying to make (he'll correct me if I am wrong on this) is that the species of reptiles that have established themselves in Florida are usually generalists. The list you just provided is a list of generalist species that would adapt well to a wide range of habitats. There's a reason that animals like burmese pythons, red-tailed boas, nile monitors, green iguanas etc have such huge ranges in the wild (yes, even mangrove monitors).



Try introducing something that is rarer because it is more specialised, such as Varanus olivaceous, and see what happens.



Rats are a mammal and are very good at coping with introduction anywhere, for they are extremely adaptable, but to say that pandas should adapt equally well because they are also a mammal would of course be untrue. This is an extreme case, yes, but there are grades of adaptability and often the endangered species become that way because they are a little less adaptable to start with (therefore have a limited range and a limited number of places they can live).

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