NILE MONITOR LIZARDS
Florida and Southwest Florida is known for its beaches, golf courses, and now Monitor Lizards. These giant carnivorous lizards, native to Africa can grow up to 9 feet in length and up to 40 pounds. These slender body lizards are tan to brown with bands of tan spots on the sides and back, interspersed with darker speckles. Their tails can deliver a powerful whipping blow that can kill most pets. They possess sharp claws used for climbing, digging, defense, or tearing at their prey. Monitors have strong legs and powerful jaws have been established in Florida since 1990. Large numbers have been seen in Cape Coral, Pine Island, and Sanibel Island, believed to be released from irresponsible pet owners that escaped when it became too troublesome to care for them. No one is allowed to own a Monitor Lizard without a permit in the State of Florida.
No one has been bitten yet, but state experts say that the Monitor Lizards do pose a threat. The Monitor Lizard is cousin to the voracious Komodo Dragon Lizard and is aggressive to people too. Monitors are running amok in a fragile nature preserve that threatens not only humans but the native fauna comprising of mostly insects, amphibians, retiles, rodents, fish, spiders, snakes, rabbits, birds, turtle nests, including borrowing owls, which have been documented to have been killed by Monitors. Known to hunt in packs, they eat anything they can catch or whatever they can fit in their mouths. The Monitors are great swimmers with their strong tails and can hold their breath under water for up to an hour and have been clocked on land of speeds up to 15 mph. If they could fly they would be the ultimate predator.
Cape Coral locals have reported a decline in number of feral cats, and fear for their pet’s safety. Sanibel’s City manager put up wanted posters of the lizard’s mug shot on a website and cautioned that no “infant humans” be left alone, being very concerned. Major effort by the Sanibel and Cape Coral officials are being made to eradicate this exotic lizard before it becomes too numerous and cannot be totally eliminated. One of the biggest fears by officials is that they will spread south. Trapping has proved tough to wrangle into submission. They hurl themselves at cage bars, spitting, lashing their tails, and emitting a pungent spray. They even when cornered, rear up on their hind legs and hiss before attacking or escaping.
Local authorities request that if anyone witnesses a Nile Monitor Lizard they report it to the police. Funding has run out to trap these lizards. Local officials are asking all residence to help in catching, trapping, or reporting these invasive pests.
If you live in Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, or anywhere in beautiful Southwest Florida and are having a problem with lizards or any other problem pest call, 239-455-4300 Collier Pest Control today for a free estimate and a complete explanation to any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com. Do not let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle. Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects
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