Florida

Take a look at these these reptile invasions in Florida. No, they’re not alligators

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Florida has more iguanas, and the critters are increasingly showing up in bizarre places. And some of them are big. Really big. A 4-foot lizard, as well as others, have been compared in size to alligators. These invasive species, including Asian water monitors, pose significant ecological challenges by disrupting native flora and fauna. Florida's wildlife officials mandate humane euthanasia for captured iguanas to curb their impact on the environment.

Reports and videos of these large reptiles, seen strutting along roadways or jumping into boats, highlight the need for management and control.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

A stunning lizard the size of an alligator seen wandering along a busy road in southwest Florida is likely an Asian water monitor, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

NO. 1: INVASIVE LIZARD THE SIZE OF AN ALLIGATOR SEEN ALONG BUSY FLORIDA ROAD, VIDEO SHOWS

“I’d rather run into a gator!” one person said. | Published May 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

This 4-foot invasive iguana was captured after it jumped into a boat load of Florida hunters, video shows.

NO. 2: WATCH AS 4-FOOT INVASIVE LIZARD JUMPS FROM TREE INTO BOAT LOADED WITH FLORIDA HUNTERS

“That’s what we call a dang canal dragon, y’all.” | Published November 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.