Posted on 05/20/2016 2:01:53 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Florida can now add man-eating crocs to its growing list of invasive species. Researchers from the University of Florida have confirmed that three Nile crocodiles were captured near Miami, and there may be more out there in the wild.
University of Florida herpetologist Kenneth Krysko and his co-authors recently published a paper revealing that DNA testing from three crocs captured in 2009, 2011 and 2014 proves they are Nile crocodiles, a species native to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the southern Mediterranean coast that can grow over 16 feet long and weigh more than 1,600 pounds.
It’s also known to prey upon humans, among other animals. Researchers estimate that Nile crocs kill up to 200 people each year worldwide.
DNA testing showed the captured reptiles matched genetically, but they didn’t match the Nile crocodiles kept at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and other licensed attractions in Florida, which suggests these killer crocs were likely brought to the Sunshine State illegally. All three were captured in South Florida, with one found in the Everglades National Park, confirming that the non-native species can thrive in the Florida wetlands and perhaps beyond.
“Much of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts could provide similar climatic conditions,” Kyrsko and his co-authors wrote in the paper.
Florida has two native crocodilians: the American alligator and American crocodile. But four non-native species have been introduced to the southeast state since 1960, researchers said. There are a number of other dangerous invasive species spreading through southern Florida, such as the Burmese python.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Not good... gators are bad enough, but crocs are worse.
Hey, Hey, Hey!
YOU, my friend, are an OK Gator...
Haha!
Oh, fun!
As opposed to vegetarian alligators?
“Man-Eating Nile Crocodiles Found in Florida”
“Man Eating Nile Crocodiles Found in Florida” would be much more newsworthy.
I wonder if eventually all the really bad poisonous snakes and salt water crocs will be introduced to the southern US. It’s kind of surprising it hasn’t happened yet.
Freegards
There’s a Cabela’s in my neck of the woods; they have two 21-foot taxidermied crocodiles.
They are massive prehistoric nightmares.
But... 12 gauge slugs’ll get ‘er done...
Finally a natural enemy of the pythons.
Gators bad,
Hurricanes Good.
So here in central FL I think I'm looking at a gator, but it's just a croc...
It's not a vegetarian, it's a humanitarian.
“Man Eating Nile Crocodiles Found in Florida” would be much more newsworthy.”
I’ve eaten fried gator (very good) at Stan’s in Goodland if that counts.
Are they bigger and badder than American Crocodiles?
I’m sure if you rub his belly, he won’t bite you...
Please, I’m a happily married woman!
More Refugees from the Middle East!!! We need to build the wall and deport, Deport, DEPORT !!!! (I’ve added extra “!” to “make things happen” - it works !!!!)
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