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Thread: Nile Monitor Lizard in Florida

  1. #1

    Default Nile Monitor Lizard in Florida

    Another invasive species is noted in the USA; one article suggests that a genetic group of these may be able to spread much farther north. The Nile Monitor Lizard is apparently a nuisance in Florida but could spread to much of the United States because a subset of the species is adapted to surviving in southern Africa and is able to hibernate in cold weather.

    "Florida's Dragon Problem" by Ed Yong is an article in The Atlantic (April 20, 2016) that discusses the Nile Monitor Lizard [I]Varanus niloticus[I] in the USA. This invasive species joins he Burmese python and other invasive species as organisms that have been introduced and are able to rapidly expand their range. They may be impossible to eradicate.

    www.theatlantic/science archive/2016/04/the-past-and-future-of-florida
    Last edited by Faiaoga; 04-20-2016 at 11:06 AM.


  2. #2
    Senior Member kyratshooter's Avatar
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    Fortunately the article states that the hibernating variety has not been imported to the U.S. and the monitors are still restricted to south FL.

    I think Batch reported that they were good with hot sauce.
    If you didn't bring jerky what did I just eat?

  3. #3

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    You are quite correct about your careful reading of the article. Southern Africa variant that can survive cold weather has not been introduced to the US - at least not yet.

    I don't know about eating them with hot sauce. but people in the Marianas (Guam) do eat the local "hilitai" large lizard and Mexicans seem to enjoy iguana, so maybe here will be a gourmet food market for these. The Food Channel or Kings of the Wild should publicize this.

    Other than one meal of crocodile at a restaurant, I have never eaten any kind of reptile, but I suppose I could develop a taste for this.

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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    (Sigh) On the list.

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    Not a Mod finallyME's Avatar
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    I had the same thought as KYRS.. except I am more of a BBQ sauce guy. And for those that know....Rudys
    Last edited by finallyME; 04-20-2016 at 05:30 PM.
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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rick View Post
    (Sigh) On the list.
    They be dinosaurs.......OMG......My list as well.
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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    'Zactly. It's turning into Jurassic Park. And that doesn't even include the old folks.

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    Senior Member kyratshooter's Avatar
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    Pity they were not introduced in Louisiana.

    They would already be on the menu at Popeye's.

    I have had alligator several times with no ill effect, crawdads, frog legs.

    Frog legs I find confusing. Texture of chicken but taste like fish. Still pretty good though.
    If you didn't bring jerky what did I just eat?

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rick View Post
    'Zactly. It's turning into Jurassic Park. And that doesn't even include the old folks.
    I am beginning to think the "old folks" are bait.......

    You only have to outrun the slowest member of the group
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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    Hmmm. I suppose as long as one of them uses a walker I'll be okay. Otherwise, it will look pretty sad with a 'gator rolling on the ground laughing and half a dozen old guys doing the Tim Conway shuffle to get away.

  11. #11
    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Gator tail is pretty popular in a lot of eateries. Lizard???? Just something else for the menu.
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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Crash
    Gator tail is pretty popular in a lot of eateries.


    So Florida has a lot of gator's named Stumpy and Bob?

  13. #13
    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Not too many. Most get named Boots and Handbag.
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    I hunt gators with a guy named Billy Boots and we had Nile and Asian water monitors as pets.

  15. #15
    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    The bring foreigners in just to monitor the water and you can keep them as pets? That's just not right.

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