Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: blanknoone; piasa; nuconvert
Young monitors have all sorts of enemies, but once they get to adult size that list drops to virtually zilch. Where they come from (Africa) Nile monitors only have to watch out for crocodiles, and even then that seldom happens because they tend to always keep a peeper out for crocs. Hence in florida an adult monitor would basically be scott free .....the alligator (and the American croc) could take care of an adult, but these lizards grew up evading the second largest species of crocodilian in the world ...the Nile croc (2nd after the Saltwater croc). They know how to watch out for crocodilians.

A pack of dogs can be trained to hunt them, and a pack can do a good job if they trap one away from scrubland and marsh (in those areas a monitor can shimmy away so fast you'd swear it could outrun a rifle slug). Although a full grown Nile Monitor can cause serious hard ....I once watched a Savannah monitor (a similar species to the Nile ....also pretty long but a little smaller than the Nile) fight a lion to a standstill. The lion could have easily killed it, but the lizard was position itself where the lion would have been either bitten or whacked with the tail. I guess the lion decided lizard meat was not worth the momentary pain. (oh, I've also seen a monitor bite. Those lizards have a line of the most vicious razor teeth this side of Aliens! Thin curved sharp teeth ....a mouth of razors. Again, can't kill you, but a 7 footer will give you something to remember).

The thing this thread does is answer my question about the introduction of foreign reptilian fauna to climates that dip in temperature. It says the lizards simply become topor during cold weather ....hibernate! In africa they obviously do not do that. Meaning, other tropical reptile species can do the same.

I've always wondered what would happen if someone purchased several hundred Kraits, Taipans and Mambas and sprinkled them in some grove or swamp. After all, anyone can buy them and the govt doesn't seem to think licenses are required for dangerous exotics!

13 posted on 06/26/2004 8:08:53 AM PDT by spetznaz (Nuclear missiles: The ultimate Phallic symbol.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies ]


To: spetznaz

Sorry for the myriad spelling and grammatical errors. I was typing too fast.


14 posted on 06/26/2004 8:12:06 AM PDT by spetznaz (Nuclear missiles: The ultimate Phallic symbol.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies ]

To: spetznaz

Never cared much for Florida. This just makes it a bit less likeable.


15 posted on 06/26/2004 1:13:25 PM PDT by nuconvert ("America will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins." ( Azadi baraye Iran)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson