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 ...
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 !!!!)
They can thrive any where they want I would imagine. They’re dinosaurs.
“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.”
Ya think?
De Nile ain’t just a crocodile in Florida.
Who are the Oklahoma Gators?
I meant “OK” as in “good”, “All right”, “stellar”...
Are these ones worse somehow?
I know. :>)
Friday follies....
there appear to be 3 man-eaters at that table. The brunette looks like one who is suffering indigestion from the last man she devoured.. the one on the right, looks like she is sizing him up for a “baby daddy” law settlement... and the blonde on the extreme left, looks like she is thinking.... “my what a large set of ... teeth he seems to have... hmmnnn...
and the poor croc in the middle? he’s thinking “how the hell did I end up at the table with these three harpies?”
Man Bites Dog...er, Croc?
“I’ve eaten fried gator (very good) at Stan’s in Goodland if that counts.”
Tastes like chicken?
It could be an ISIS operation...eco-terrorism.
I clearly feel very sorry for the poor croc caught in the middle of that mess!
“are they wanting me for a new pair of shoes, or a new purse, or do they just want my wallet?”
Finally a natural enemy of the pythons.
But aren’t we going to have a moat around the wall with crocs in it? So Trump could use these.
What did they do with the man after they caught him in Florida?
How did they get from the Nile to Florida?
Aww, poor old Croc Hunter...
Always liked that show. He was a guy who loved his work and was genuine.
It showed.
Died too young.
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