Tegu Lizards – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida?

Tegu lizards are an invasive species in Florida, and they can be found in many parts of the state. These large lizards, which can grow up to 4 feet in length, are native to South America and were introduced to Florida in the late 1980s. They have quickly become a nuisance in Florida, as they eat native species and can damage the environment by digging burrows and eating plants. Tegu lizards have been known to eat frogs, eggs, small mammals, and even other lizards, and they have been seen as far north as Georgia. They are also capable of reproducing quickly, which can cause their population to grow rapidly. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends that people remove tegu lizards from their property if possible, and recommends trapping, euthanizing, or relocating them.

Feral Cats – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida? Are Feral Cats a Nuisance Animal?

Domestic cats can create a nuisance and cause damage, such as killing poultry. Free-ranging cats can kill birds at bird feeders reducing opportunities for wildlife viewing. Cats can be a nuisance in gardens when they defecate and cover their feces by digging.

Feral and free-ranging cats prey upon both common and rare species of native wildlife in Florida, including rare species listed as threatened or endangered by state and federal governments.

Palm Beach and Broward counties do not ban the feeding of feral cats, but do encourage people who tend feral colonies to have the cats fixed and vaccinated against rabies. “If you are going to care for cats, feeding alone is not enough,” said Diane Suave, director of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.

There is no leash law for cats because they are considered free-roaming animals. However, a property owner does have the legal right to humanely trap or catch any nuisance cats on their property.

Stray cats are socialized to people and can be adopted into homes, but feral cats are not socialized to people and are happy living outdoors. A stray cat: Is a cat who has been socialized to people at some point in her life, but has left or lost her indoor home, as well as most human contact and dependence.

Green Mussels – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida?

Green mussels are an invasive species in Florida. They were first detected in the state in 2009, and have since spread rapidly. The mussels are native to the Indo-Pacific region, and are believed to have been transported to Florida via the ballast water of ships. The mussels have been found in estuaries and coastal areas throughout the state, and can grow rapidly, clogging waterways and impacting native marine life. The mussels can also cause damage to boats and other water infrastructure, and can be a nuisance to recreational activities such as swimming and fishing. Efforts to eradicate the mussels have been largely unsuccessful, and the species continues to spread throughout the state.

Iguanas – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida? Green Iguanas are one of the most invasive species that have claimed Florida as their home.

Green iguanas are not native to Florida and are considered an invasive species due to their impacts to native wildlife. Like all nonnative reptile species, green iguanas are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property with landowner permission.

The canal system in my backyard acts as a highway directly to the neighbors mango tree. Our cover photo for this site was taken on my daily walk. Shooing iguanas into the water has become a game for our family. Yet, ten minutes later the family on the other bank runs them right back to us.

The FWC ruled in 2021 that iguanas would be among 16 of the most destructive non-native species subject to a breeding and dealing ban. Florida’s other invasive species headaches include python problems in the Everglades and an overabundance of Atlantic Ocean Lionfish.

Giant African Land Snails – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida?

Giant African land snails (GALS) are a species of large, edible snails that are native to Africa, but have become an invasive species in some parts of the United States, including Florida. GALS are considered one of the most damaging invasive species in the world, due to their high reproductive rate, voracious appetite, and propensity to spread diseases. GALS can cause extensive damage to agricultural crops, ruin native ecosystems, and spread human and animal diseases. In Florida, GALS have been found in a variety of habitats, including urban and suburban areas. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched a program to eradicate GALS from the state and prevent their spread. This involves trapping snails, destroying their eggs, and encouraging the public to report sightings of the snails.

Cuban Tree Frogs – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida? Where do Cuban Tree Frogs live?

The Cuban tree frog is a large species of tree frog that is native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands; but has become invasive in several other places around the Americas.

They have been observed to impact species of small birds in nest boxes by invading nest boxes and frightening them away. Cuban treefrogs’ irritating skin secretions can also impact humans and pets and they are known to cause economic impacts by causing short-circuits in transformer boxes and power outages.

Cuban Tree Frogs typically have a brownish green coloration. Sometimes the color morph can be lighter to the point that the skin is white. Most adults will have the brownish green coloration. Many even forming warts.

Cuban Treefrogs can enter homes in a variety of ways. They may jump through open doors or windows, be brought into a house inadvertently on an ornamental plant, or get into a home’s plumbing system through vent pipes on the roof.

Cuban treefrogs sleep during the day. In the wild, they will hide in tall pines, or in shorter trees and shrubs. In urban areas, they look for safety in tight, enclosed spaces, like the interiors of our homes where food is plentiful and places to reproduce are all around.

Lionfish – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida? Can I Eat Lionfish?

Lionfish are an invasive species in Florida. They were first reported in Florida waters in 1985 and have since become a major problem. They are native to the Indo-Pacific region, but have spread to many other parts of the world including Florida. Lionfish have no natural predators in Florida so they have been able to thrive and reproduce quickly. They feed on native fish and other organisms and can out-compete native species for food and habitat. They are also a hazard to divers and fishermen due to their venomous spines. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has been working to reduce their population in Florida waters through the use of traps, fishing tournaments, and public awareness campaigns.

Cane Toads – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida?

The cane toad (also known as the bufo, giant or marine toad) is a large, nonnative amphibian that has been introduced into Florida. Cane toads are considered an invasive species and are poisonous to most animals that try to bite or consume them.

They are common in yards and similar open areas. Their ability to exploit habitat modified by humans is a common trait among many invasive species; cane toads have proliferated in yards, golf courses, agricultural areas, and similar habitat types in Florida.

How do you get rid of cane toads in Florida?
There are several ways to do this such as cutting your grass regularly, filling in any holes around structures, trimming shrubs near ground level, removing clutter around your home and bring outdoor pet food and water bowls inside at night. Can I remove Cane Toads from my property? The answer is yes.

They are active at night during the warmer months and take shelter in moist crevices during the day or when the weather is cold and dry. Unlike Australia’s native frogs, cane toads do not need to keep their skin moist.

Feral Hogs – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida? Can We Eliminate Wild Hogs in Florida?

Feral hogs are an invasive species in Florida, and have been introduced to the state from other parts of the world. Feral hogs are an introduced species that have caused extensive damage to native habitats and wildlife. They are highly adaptable and can thrive in many different environments. Feral hogs compete with native wildlife for resources, destroy vegetation, and can cause soil erosion. They also can spread diseases such as brucellosis, pseudorabies, and pseudomonas. Feral hogs in Florida can be found in many different areas such as wetlands, forests, agricultural lands, and residential areas. In order to help reduce the negative impacts of feral hogs, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has implemented regulations that require hunters to obtain permits before hunting feral hogs. Additionally, the use of live traps is encouraged in order to humanely capture and remove feral hogs from areas.

Burmese Pythons – Invasive Species in Florida

What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida? Did Burmese Pythons escape during Hurricane Andrew?

Most experts believe the Burmese Pythons established a reproducing population in the Everglades sometime after Hurricane Andrew—a category 5 storm that devastated the state in August 1992. It was during that storm that a python breeding facility was destroyed, releasing countless snakes into the nearby swamps.