A Large Asian Water Monitor Lizard Spotted in Southwest Florida A recent sighting of a large lizard near a street in Southwest Florida has raised concerns about nonnative species in the area. According to a video posted to Facebook by Renee Aland, the lizard is believed to be an Asian water monitor, which is a nonnative species.
The video, recorded last Monday, shows the lizard walking into a wooded area away from the street. Aland reports that the lizard was around 5 feet long and was seen coming out of the woods near a canal on Hillsboro Blvd, behind the Kia dealership and south of Bamboo Rd. Aland, who first spotted the lizard on Hillsboro Blvd, waited to see it again and eventually reported the sighting to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). In an email to Newsweek on Tuesday... the FWC confirmed that biologists from their Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program identified the lizard as a nonnative monitor lizard (Varanus sp.). The program's director highlighted the importance of reporting sightings of nonnative species, citing the potential threat they pose to native ecosystems.
As the FWC's Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program continues to investigate the sighting... residents in the area are advised to keep a lookout for the large reptile. Newsweek reports that the FWC has issued a statement urging residents to contact them if they spot any unusual or nonnative species. The sighting has raised concerns about the potential impact of nonnative species on the native wildlife and ecosystems of Southwest Florida.
According to the FWC, "nonnative species can outcompete native species for food and habitat," "leading to declines in native populations." The agency is working to educate the public on the importance of reporting sightings of nonnative species and the potential risks they pose.
More details: Found hereThe video, recorded last Monday, shows the lizard walking into a wooded area away from the street. Aland reports that the lizard was around 5 feet long and was seen coming out of the woods near a canal on Hillsboro Blvd, behind the Kia dealership and south of Bamboo Rd. Aland, who first spotted the lizard on Hillsboro Blvd, waited to see it again and eventually reported the sighting to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). In an email to Newsweek on Tuesday... the FWC confirmed that biologists from their Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program identified the lizard as a nonnative monitor lizard (Varanus sp.). The program's director highlighted the importance of reporting sightings of nonnative species, citing the potential threat they pose to native ecosystems.
As the FWC's Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program continues to investigate the sighting... residents in the area are advised to keep a lookout for the large reptile. Newsweek reports that the FWC has issued a statement urging residents to contact them if they spot any unusual or nonnative species. The sighting has raised concerns about the potential impact of nonnative species on the native wildlife and ecosystems of Southwest Florida.
According to the FWC, "nonnative species can outcompete native species for food and habitat," "leading to declines in native populations." The agency is working to educate the public on the importance of reporting sightings of nonnative species and the potential risks they pose.
A large lizard was spotted walking near a street in Southwest Florida last week, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said they believe it a nonnative Asian water monitor. In a video posted to Facebook last Monday by Renee Aland, the lizard is seen walking into a wooded area, away from the street.
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