Invasive Species Common to Florida
Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) – The
Burmese python is native to Southeast Asia and is thought to have been
introduced to Florida by pet owners releasing the snakes into the wild. Today the large snake which preys on a variety
of native species is listed as injurious wildlife
under the Federal Lacey Act. This status
makes it illegal in the United States to import,
export, or transport these animals between States without a permit. The Florida Everglades provide the Burmese
python a very hospitable habitat to breed and thrive. The snakes have been known to prey on native
species, some of which are endangered and out-compete other threatened native species. Conservation organizations in South Florida
are working diligently to control the spreading python population.
Cuban Tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) - The largest tree frog in North America ranging from1.5 to 5 inches in body length. This species was introduced to southern Florida from the Caribbean and has continued to spread throughout Florida. Cuban tree frogs have been sighted as far north as Cedar Key on the Gulf Coast, Jacksonville on the Atlantic Coast, and the Orlando area in mid-Florida. It is believed that their range continues to expand. Established populations of Cuban tree frogs threated native frog populations as well as toads and lizards as they outcompete native species for food and habitat space. Due to the extensive impact Cuban tree frogs have on native species of amphibians and reptiles, many biologists recommend that Cuban tree frogs be humanely euthanized.
Brown Anole Lizard (Anolis sagrei) - The brown anole lizard has a primarily brown body with males displaying bands of yellowish spots, whereas females and juveniles have a light vertebral stripe with dark, scalloped edges. The edge of the dewlap is white and appears as a stripe on the throat when not distended. The dewlap may vary in color from a bright red-orange to pale yellow. Males reach a length of 20 cm (8 in). The brown anole is native to Cuba and the Bahamas, and it was first observed in the Florida Keys in 1887. It is believed that the brown anole continued it invasion via the major seaports in South Florida on boats and firewood during the 1940s and had become completely established in most large urbanized areas south of Gainesville by 1980. The brown anole is the primary cause of the reduced numbers of green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) forcing the green anoles to higher tree habitats. Adult brown anoles often prey on smaller green anoles as well.
Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) - The Asian tiger mosquito is a medium-sized mosquito (approximately 2.0 to 10.0 mm) and can be identified by its bold black shiny scales and distinct silver white scales on the palpus and tarsi. The invasive mosquito was first documented in the United States in Texas in 1985 thought to have been transported in stagnate water inside the rims of tires being imported into the United States. In 1986, the Asian tiger mosquito was found in Florida at a tire dump site near Jacksonville. Since then, this species has spread rapidly throughout the eastern United States, including all of Florida's 67 counties. The Asian tiger mosquito is a day feeder peaks feeding times early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The removal of mosquito breeding habitat can be an effective method for mosquito control. By eliminating any standing water on the property, changing pet watering dishes, draining dishes for potted plants, and bird bath water frequently can reduce mosquito populations.
Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) - In the U.S., RIFA was first introduced from Brazil into either Mobile, Alabama, or Pensacola, Florida, between 1933 and 1945. The Red Imported Fire Ants can be distinguished from the native fire ants by observing the head shape of the worker ants in the mound. RIFA have a more square shaped head that is larger in proportion to the rest of the body. Worker ants of the native fire ant (S. invicta) do not have workers with disproportionate head to body ratios. Fire ants frequently invade home lawns, school yards, athletic fields, golf courses, parks and other recreational areas.
Lion Fish (Pterois volitans) – The Indo-Pacific lion fish is the only marine invasive species in Florida, but one of the most damaging invasive species across the entire state. Its red-and-white zebra striped body and long, showy pectoral fins make it a popular choice for saltwater aquarium owners. This common aquarium species was accidentally introduced to the east coast and Caribbean in the 1990s by fish tank owners that no longer wanted the fish. With a large appetite for fish and crustaceans, no natural predators, and the ability to spawn once a year, the lionfish has steadily expanded its range throughout the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts of Florida. Because of this, ecologists are concerned that lionfish could have a devastating impact on native reef fish populations and the natural balance of the reef ecosystem.
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) – The common carp typically inhabits freshwater lakes, ponds, and the lower sections of rivers, but has also been located in brackish-water estuaries, backwaters, and bays. This large, heavy bodied minnow can be identified by its arched back small triangular head. Biologists regularly release carp into Florida waterways to reduce invasive plants. The common carp is regarded as a pest fish because of its widespread abundance and because of its tendency to destroy vegetation and increase water turbidity. Currently it is only established in the Florida panhandle and does not appear to be established in South Florida waterways. Common carp display jumping behavior when trying to escape entrapment, which makes management tactics more difficult.
Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) - Blue tilapia young are a nondescript gray color with a black spot at rear of dorsal fin. Adults generally turn a blue-gray color with white on the belly. This species was often stocked by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Auburn University in lakes and farm ponds in Alabama during the late 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The blue tilapia is considered a competitor with native species for spawning areas, food, and space. Many streams, where the blue tilapia population is denser, have lost most of the aquatic vegetation and nearly all native fishes.
Nutria (Myocastor coypus) - The nutria is a large (2 ft.), semi-aquatic rodent native to South America. They are brown in color with a large head, short legs and a slightly humped-back. It is believed that the nutria was introduced to the United States in 1889 for its fur. After the nutria fur market collapsed in the 1940s, thousands of nutria were abandoned by ranchers who could no longer afford to feed and house them. Biologists began using the weed-eating herbivores to control noxious weeds and farmers began selling the animals as biological controls. The nutria proved successful in reducing the undesired aquatic weeds in creeks and other waterways, but also quickly reduced the amount of native vegetation as well.
Coyote (Canis latrans) – The coyote is a member of the canine family weighing between 20 and 30 pounds. They have a slender grayish-brown body, pointed ears and a bushy tail. Coyotes hunt in packs and have been known to quickly adapt to the Florida habitat. Coyotes were once considered a mid to western predator but began expanding their range into the Southeast in the 1960s, reaching northwestern Florida in the 1970s. A 1981 survey reported coyote populations in 18 of Florida's 67 counties. A similar survey in 1988 reported coyotes in 48 counties. They are most numerous in northern Florida, but their numbers appear to be increasing state- wide. In addition to natural range expansion, coyotes have been illegally introduced to Florida by local fox hunters.
For a full list visit: http://www.eddmaps.org/florida/Species/
Cuban Tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) - The largest tree frog in North America ranging from1.5 to 5 inches in body length. This species was introduced to southern Florida from the Caribbean and has continued to spread throughout Florida. Cuban tree frogs have been sighted as far north as Cedar Key on the Gulf Coast, Jacksonville on the Atlantic Coast, and the Orlando area in mid-Florida. It is believed that their range continues to expand. Established populations of Cuban tree frogs threated native frog populations as well as toads and lizards as they outcompete native species for food and habitat space. Due to the extensive impact Cuban tree frogs have on native species of amphibians and reptiles, many biologists recommend that Cuban tree frogs be humanely euthanized.
Brown Anole Lizard (Anolis sagrei) - The brown anole lizard has a primarily brown body with males displaying bands of yellowish spots, whereas females and juveniles have a light vertebral stripe with dark, scalloped edges. The edge of the dewlap is white and appears as a stripe on the throat when not distended. The dewlap may vary in color from a bright red-orange to pale yellow. Males reach a length of 20 cm (8 in). The brown anole is native to Cuba and the Bahamas, and it was first observed in the Florida Keys in 1887. It is believed that the brown anole continued it invasion via the major seaports in South Florida on boats and firewood during the 1940s and had become completely established in most large urbanized areas south of Gainesville by 1980. The brown anole is the primary cause of the reduced numbers of green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) forcing the green anoles to higher tree habitats. Adult brown anoles often prey on smaller green anoles as well.
Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) - The Asian tiger mosquito is a medium-sized mosquito (approximately 2.0 to 10.0 mm) and can be identified by its bold black shiny scales and distinct silver white scales on the palpus and tarsi. The invasive mosquito was first documented in the United States in Texas in 1985 thought to have been transported in stagnate water inside the rims of tires being imported into the United States. In 1986, the Asian tiger mosquito was found in Florida at a tire dump site near Jacksonville. Since then, this species has spread rapidly throughout the eastern United States, including all of Florida's 67 counties. The Asian tiger mosquito is a day feeder peaks feeding times early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The removal of mosquito breeding habitat can be an effective method for mosquito control. By eliminating any standing water on the property, changing pet watering dishes, draining dishes for potted plants, and bird bath water frequently can reduce mosquito populations.
Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) - In the U.S., RIFA was first introduced from Brazil into either Mobile, Alabama, or Pensacola, Florida, between 1933 and 1945. The Red Imported Fire Ants can be distinguished from the native fire ants by observing the head shape of the worker ants in the mound. RIFA have a more square shaped head that is larger in proportion to the rest of the body. Worker ants of the native fire ant (S. invicta) do not have workers with disproportionate head to body ratios. Fire ants frequently invade home lawns, school yards, athletic fields, golf courses, parks and other recreational areas.
Lion Fish (Pterois volitans) – The Indo-Pacific lion fish is the only marine invasive species in Florida, but one of the most damaging invasive species across the entire state. Its red-and-white zebra striped body and long, showy pectoral fins make it a popular choice for saltwater aquarium owners. This common aquarium species was accidentally introduced to the east coast and Caribbean in the 1990s by fish tank owners that no longer wanted the fish. With a large appetite for fish and crustaceans, no natural predators, and the ability to spawn once a year, the lionfish has steadily expanded its range throughout the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts of Florida. Because of this, ecologists are concerned that lionfish could have a devastating impact on native reef fish populations and the natural balance of the reef ecosystem.
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) – The common carp typically inhabits freshwater lakes, ponds, and the lower sections of rivers, but has also been located in brackish-water estuaries, backwaters, and bays. This large, heavy bodied minnow can be identified by its arched back small triangular head. Biologists regularly release carp into Florida waterways to reduce invasive plants. The common carp is regarded as a pest fish because of its widespread abundance and because of its tendency to destroy vegetation and increase water turbidity. Currently it is only established in the Florida panhandle and does not appear to be established in South Florida waterways. Common carp display jumping behavior when trying to escape entrapment, which makes management tactics more difficult.
Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) - Blue tilapia young are a nondescript gray color with a black spot at rear of dorsal fin. Adults generally turn a blue-gray color with white on the belly. This species was often stocked by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Auburn University in lakes and farm ponds in Alabama during the late 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The blue tilapia is considered a competitor with native species for spawning areas, food, and space. Many streams, where the blue tilapia population is denser, have lost most of the aquatic vegetation and nearly all native fishes.
Nutria (Myocastor coypus) - The nutria is a large (2 ft.), semi-aquatic rodent native to South America. They are brown in color with a large head, short legs and a slightly humped-back. It is believed that the nutria was introduced to the United States in 1889 for its fur. After the nutria fur market collapsed in the 1940s, thousands of nutria were abandoned by ranchers who could no longer afford to feed and house them. Biologists began using the weed-eating herbivores to control noxious weeds and farmers began selling the animals as biological controls. The nutria proved successful in reducing the undesired aquatic weeds in creeks and other waterways, but also quickly reduced the amount of native vegetation as well.
Coyote (Canis latrans) – The coyote is a member of the canine family weighing between 20 and 30 pounds. They have a slender grayish-brown body, pointed ears and a bushy tail. Coyotes hunt in packs and have been known to quickly adapt to the Florida habitat. Coyotes were once considered a mid to western predator but began expanding their range into the Southeast in the 1960s, reaching northwestern Florida in the 1970s. A 1981 survey reported coyote populations in 18 of Florida's 67 counties. A similar survey in 1988 reported coyotes in 48 counties. They are most numerous in northern Florida, but their numbers appear to be increasing state- wide. In addition to natural range expansion, coyotes have been illegally introduced to Florida by local fox hunters.
For a full list visit: http://www.eddmaps.org/florida/Species/