Below is feedback Dr. Lowman has received regarding her column in the Herald-Tribune: ‘Anoles on steroids’ adapt well. Some of the feedback will be followed by Dr. Lowman’s responses.
Elfton writes:
Curiously, on Saturday – before your article appeared on Sunday – a neighbor came to my door saying he had a “bid lizard” in his back yard. I’m general manager at PETCO and have worked with reptiles, so he thought I should see.
Well – I wasn’t prepared. His kids had treed a monitor lizard – six feet long. I was truly amazed. Its forepaws and claws are easily the size of my hand. I’d say its girth is 24″.
We have photos – not very good, which I will attach.
I’m wondering if Amber Roux has a dog ready to sniff. It would certainly be a prime specimen. Sarasota County folks have been called, and are interested to have more information – but their interest is probably not scholarly.
What do you advise.
Elfton,
Wow, this is a nightmare story that we are all hoping to avoid. I am copying my two students who study invasive reptiles, in hopes they might have time to come to your neighborhood and check this out. If you are willing to share your address, and if it truly is around and easy to spot, we would love to come down for a sight visit.
Quite frankly, it needs to be removed so I do hope the County acts on it. Please keep me posted.
Cheers,
Meg Lowman
Greg writes:
Ms. Lowman, I’ve read a couple of your articles with great interest as I’m very concerned about invasive species in the US, Michigan (my home state) and Florida, in particular. I sure wish that you’d have published some numbers and approached this Nile Monitor Lizard as more of a critical situation, as I believe it to be.
I read a couple of years ago where the University of Florida Biology Dept had opened a new field office in Cape Coral, because the numbers had grown into the hundreds and perhaps even a few thousand of these in that area. I remember seeing an article back in the later 90s, I believe in the Port Charlotte paper, (perhaps the Ft. Myers paper) where some resident had trapped one in his back yard (which either backed up to the Peace river or Caloosahatchee) and he’d already trapped several of them, 14-15-16, something like that !!!!
The fact that these DO eat virtually everything, alarms me greatly and I think the public will realize how big of an issue it is the more this is continuously emphasized, especially putting out the scary numbers. Ditto for the Pythons in the Everglades, Myakka State Park, and everywhere else they happen to be at this point.
Several years ago, I was traveling up the Florida Turnpike going through Boca (early on a Saturday morning) and spotted a huge Nile Monitor Lizard along the shoulder of the turnpike. At first I assumed it was a Gator as I could see it from a half mile down the road, and it was so huge (at least 8-9 ft.). Then as I got close and could see the head I was sure it was a Komodo Dragon. Knowing what I know of them, and how dangerous they can be, plus knowing that Nile Monitors only get to 5-7 feet and this was much bigger, I turned my car around and actually drove off on the shoulder of the road towards it. As this ‘Dragon’ proceeded to head for the canal along the shoulder, it got it’s head & front leg caught in the fencing. I called the animal control dept and reported that I had this thing ‘pinned’ up against the fence with my car, but after a 25 minute wait, they still hadn’t shown up, and I needed to continue on to Orlando so I drove away. The following Monday I phoned Ron Magill curator at Miami Zoo and we spoke for 10-15 minutes about this situation and he assured me it was NOT a Komodo, but in fact an African/Nile Monitor Lizard. He explained to me how many are loose around the southern half of Florida, and how this climate & terrain is perfect for them, not to mention no natural enemies and an abundant food source. He said that even though the norm is 5-6 feet, they’ve seen 8-9 footers in his area so we have a huge problem. Wouldn’t you agree?
Bryan writes:
I noticed your column on Nile Monitors in Cape Coral. You might be
interested to know that as I’ve notified Todd I believe a couple of years
ago, I can testify to the fact that Nile Monitors were present, at least in
captivity no less in northern Cape Coral as far back as about 1977-8, as I
held them in my hands there.Tom Crutchfield, a prominent international reptile breeder and exotic pet
vendor had a reptile exhibit there at the site of the relocated “Rose
Gardens” back at that time, and had Nile Monitors on exhibit, and perhaps
already for sale. I recall even having my photograph in the NewsPress with a
Monitor crawling over my head as I tried to hold on to it.
UPDATE (9/8/08): Nile Monitor Lizard Hotline
Below are fliers and photos to help identify the monitor lizard along with contact information for the Nile Monitor Lizard Hotline:
The Nile Monitor Lizard (Varanus niloticus) grows to over 6 ft in length. It is dark brown with yellow spots forming bands around the body of the lizard.
It is found near fresh water and its burrows. It can dive under water for up to one hour .It is very agile both on land and in the water. This carnivorous reptile is not native to Florida and poses a danger to Florida’s wildlife.
Biologists with the National Park Service are looking for information on sightings of the Nile monitor lizard or its burrows. Please call the Nile Monitor hot line if you have information.
(305) 753-3557
Thank you for calling the Nile Monitor hot line.
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