WATCH: Florida Wildlife Conservation Volunteers Safely Capture Nonnative Asian Water Monitor Lizard
By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission // October 16, 2020
Asian water monitor can grow up to 9 feet long
(FWC) – The Asian water monitor, which can grow up to nine feet long, are not established in Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to keep it that way as the Asian water monitor could be a big threat to native wildlife.
So, when our nonnative wildlife biologists started getting reports of large nonnative lizards, including monitors and invasive Argentine black and white tegus in the St. Petersburg area, they took action.
Our team has been working closely with volunteers from St. Petersburg College to monitor and trap them.
Nonnative species do not belong in Florida. Some do not cause many if any, problems.
Others, however, are invasive, meaning that they negatively impact native fish and wildlife, cause damage that is costly to repair, or pose a threat to human health and safety.
If you see a nonnative species like this monitor, please note the location, take a picture, and report the sighting ASAP by calling the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline (888-Ive-Got1), online at IveGot1.org or using the free IveGot1 app.
Related Story:WATCH: Florida Wildlife Conservation Volunteers Safely Capture Nonnative Asian Water Monitor Lizard
