Florida wants to stop problem pythons crunching more frogs
Pythons, iguanas and monitor lizards, oh my! Florida is moving to restrict 16 invasive reptile species that have wreaked havoc in the Everglades and across the state.
‘‘Breeding invasive species in Florida is like playing with matches in a tinderbox,’’ said Julie Wraithmell, vice-president of conservation non-profit Audubon Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted this week to move these animals to a prohibited list. This means they can only be brought to Florida for exhibition, such as in a zoo or at a research facility.
‘‘These animals are creating enormous issues for our state,’’ said commission chair Rodney Barreto. Burmese pythons, in particular, have been especially destructive to native wildlife.
Once the new rules take effect, pet owners and others who have these species will have 180 days to ensure the creatures comply with outdoor caging rules.
Iguanas and tegu lizards can
be sold commercially until June 30, 2024. After that date, their sale in Florida will be banned. Both species are very well established throughout South Florida.
Many people involved in the reptile trade and pet owners have weighed in on the issue. The rules do not require anyone to relinquish their pets, and a permit will be free of charge.
‘‘I’m very sensitive to the people in the pet trade and enthusiasts,’’ said Robert Spottswood, a member of the commission. ‘‘But this action is a result of the invasive species that continue to get in the wild. These animals are doing lots of damage, and we are incumbent to do something.’’
According to the commission, there are more than 500 nonnative species in Florida. Most were brought in through the live animal trade and then escaped or were released into the wild.
The animals facing restrictions include a variety of pythons, green iguanas, tegu lizards, Nile monitors and others. Some kill native Florida wildlife as well as pets, while others dig burrows and become a threat to human constructions such as fountains and gardens.