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From giant snakes and wild hogs … to iguanas and killer crocs … here are 14 of the most invasive species in Florida


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#7 Here Be Dragons
An Asian Water Monitor measuring some 6 feet long (2 m) made news in 2018 when it terrorized a family in the town of Davie. While the enormous creature was sighted on their property for several days, it was never captured despite the efforts of trappers. But it’s proof that yet another species of big reptiles has decided to call Florida home. Wildlife officials say that various species of monitors have been sighted across the state. Breeding populations of West Nile monitors are known to be established in several counties of South Florida. Did you know these animals are related to the Komodo Dragon of Indonesia? Those are the world’s largest lizards, at some 10 feet long (3 m) and 150 pounds (68 kg). The good news is that those particular beasts haven’t shown up in Florida … not yet, anyway.

#6 Argentine Tegu (tay-goo) Lizard
It’s a black and white reptile that can weigh around 30 pounds (14 kg) and measure 4 feet long (122 cm). Going with that size are some strong claws and sharp teeth. They’ve been breeding throughout the state after having been released into the wild. In the Ocala (oh-KAL-uh) National Forest, more than 100 sightings of the lizards have been reported. Since the climate is similar to their native South American habitat, they can easily adapt and rapidly reproduce. Due to that, the animals can pose an ecological threat as they compete with indigenous species for food and space.

#5 Monkey Business
Rhesus Macaque (REE-sus muh-KAK) monkeys can weigh about 17 pounds (8 kg) and are identified by their pink faces. Native to Central and Southeast Asia, they are listed as a globally invasive species. In the US, the animals are thought to have been released or escaped into the wild after zoos or wildlife parks were destroyed by hurricanes. In one documented case from 1938, a colony of Rhesus Macaques was released into the wild as part of a tour cruise promotion in Marion County. They’ve since been sighted as far as Seminole (SEH-mih-nole) and Orange Counties. The highly intelligent (and aggressive) animals can force out many native species. And because they carry transmittable viruses like herpes-B, they could pose a danger to humans as well.

#4 Green Iguanas Everywhere
These lizards have more in common with humans that you think. And that’s especially true in South Florida. Iguanas enjoy the nice scenery and swimming pools, where they’re often found. They’ve also been known to hit the links at golf courses, and are commonly seen around pedestrians on sidewalks. At around 5.5 feet long (1.7 m) and weighing 9 pounds (4 kg), the reptiles have been breeding rapidly in the areas where pet owners dumped them. That includes Miami suburbs and the Keys where packs of them swarm over seawalls, and leave behind trails of filth as they roam through parks. Many citizens complain that there’s just no escaping these cold-blooded critters which continue to multiply like rabbits. If you’ve ever encountered one, tell us your story in the comments.

#3 Wild Hog Heaven
Only Texas has more of these wild porkers than Florida. Also known as Feral Hogs, these beasts have occupied areas of the Sunshine State since being introduced by the Spanish in the 1500s. There are thought to be more than 500,000 hogs roaming about, and they can leave a lot of ecological damage in their wake. Experts say that they will take any food set out for wildlife or livestock, and destroy forests and plantations by gobbling up tree seeds and seedlings. Another concern is that the hogs can serve as carriers for pathogens including cholera, tuberculosis and anthrax. And they’re not shy about confronting humans, either. More than four deaths have been attributed to wild hog attacks. Florida Fish and Wildlife officials have targeted them as some of the state’s most problematic wildlife.

#2 Burmese Pythons Squeeze Florida
After a brief time out for those porcine mammals, we’re back to the invasive reptiles. This one is one of the Sunshine State’s signature invasive species. They first started showing up in the 1980s and their population has ballooned ever since, with many of them now found in the Everglades. These serpents have been taking out native animals like raccoons, possums, and squirrels with a Terminator-like efficiency. The threat to indigenous wildlife is so severe that the State authorized a hunting program to control the numbers of this beast. While the program has resulted in the extermination of around 1,000 pythons, there could still be 100,000 of the animals living in the wild.


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