Killer Aliens

Marine MammalsWest Indian Manatee

Bottlenose Dolphins

Short-finned Pilot Whale

North Atlantic Right WhalecReptiles

Pygmy Rattlesnakes

Eastern Diamondback

American Alligator and CrocodileGopher TortoiseLeatherback Sea TurtlesEastern Indigo Snake

FloridaFlorida is a state located in the South Eastern United States.It borders Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. Much of the state's land mass is a large peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean to the south.Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States.Florida is nicknamed the "Sunshine State" because of its generally warm climatesubtropical in the northern and central regions of the state, with a true tropical climate in the southern portion.

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Wildlife officials in the Keys are educating residents on the identification and safe capture of this venomous fish. Divers, fishermen, and researchers use needle-proof gloves and aquarium nets to capture as many lionfish as possible. Trained workers with special permits have already removed 40 of the invaders from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, home to the worlds third largest barrier reef.Red Lionfish a menace in Florida KeysWhen the first escaped Lionfish was spotted off the coast of Miami in 1985, environmentalists in the Keys became concerned. They knew it was only a matter of time before the invader fish migrated in their direction, threatening Keys marine life, especially the vulnerable coral reefs.Native to the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Red Lionfish has been a popular aquarium pet in the U.S. Pet owners disillusioned when their lionfish either outgrows the fish tank or stings someone with its venomous, needle-like fins sometimes decide to (illegally) dump this beautiful fish in the ocean.The Red Lionfish feeds on the reef-cleaning species of marine life, which results in damage to the coral reefs. These big, hungry fish will eat Floridas native fish and outcompete them for food.

Exotic Death Toll RisesState wildlife officials are estimating that the prolonged low temperatures Florida experienced last month have significantly reduced the populations of exotic species.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has received enough reports from the field to estimate that around half of the Burmese Pythons in the Everglades have died, and more than half of the Green Iguana population is no more. So many thousands of exotic freshwater fish have been seen floating to the tops of rivers and lakes that the numbers are inestimable.Anecdotal reports indicate that the nuisance exotic species have not been eliminated, as hardy survivors continue to be spotted around the southern part of the state.However, the mounting death toll is a good indication that South Florida may not allow for the uninterrupted proliferation of tropical plants and animals. Nature will play a role, stepping in now and again to curtail out of control growth in invasive species.The populations reduced but not eradicated!

Mysterious Illness spreads among DogsSome dogs in the South Florida area are suffering from a strange and debilitating illness. So far, at least a dozen canines have been seen by local veterinarians after the pets exhibited sudden weakness in the hind legs, followed by paralysis. One dog has died from the unidentified illness.

A local television station reported that toxins in the dead bodies of iguanas may be poisoning curious dogs. After last months persistent cold fronts, many cold-intolerant iguanas have died in South Florida. Decomposing iguana bodies can be found in suburban yards and neighbourhood parks, and dogs do have the tendency to investigate with their muzzles.Research will have to be conducted to see if the decomposing animals are indeed exuding bacteria harmful to other animals. In the meantime, local veterinarians are advising pet owners to keep their dogs on a short leash and remove any dead wildlife from their yards.

Most Common Non-Native Species

Cuban Tree FrogAfrican Cichlid FishGambian Pouch RatBurmese PythonPurple SwamphenHOMEThere are other ways you can help as well. Check boat trailers, boat hulls and propellers. Rinse and remove aquatic plants or invertebrate hitchhikers such as snails. Don't dump aquarium contents in lakes, channels or other water bodies. Replace invasive and other non-native plants in your yard with native species. Make sure produce bought and delivered through the mail is from reputable companies that have their shipments inspected. Have houseplants brought into the state inspected for potential pests, either by another state's agriculture department or at a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspection station. This is required by law and violations can be as high as $5000.

HELP!!The best way to help prevent new introductions of exotic species into Florida is to be a responsible pet owner. Many pets are deceptively small at the time of purchase, and people may not be prepared to care for them when they grow to their full adult size. Often people move and feel that taking their pet with them is too much of a hassle or they become bored with their pets. It may seem kind to release a pet into the wild, thus setting it free, but this can be detrimental to the animal and the environment.Pet owners may not realize that a released pet will more than likely die without care from its owner. But not all will die, and those that survive have the potential to become invasive, meaning they can take over habitats and displace native fish and wildlife species.

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Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drcuFxJQeV4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXP9Qoop6Ko

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/killer-aliens/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1028_051028_pythons.html

http://www.floridainvasives.org/toolbox/FloridaInvaders.pdf

http://www.tigerhomes.org/animal/florida-everglades.cfm

http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wild-Places/Everglades.aspxHOMEReferences Animal PlanetNational GeographicBirds Nest ForumCNN NewsBCC Newswww.iguanainvasion.comwww.myfcw.comen.wikipedia.org

HOMEContentIntroduction to FloridaFloridas IssueFloridas Wild FutureNative Species in FloridaWhat is an invasive species?What is a non-native species?How do non-native species get to Florida?Most Common non-native speciesReferencesVideosHELP!!`FLORIDAProject Done ByNative Species in FloridaFlorida is host to many types of wildlife including:Marine MammalsReptilesMammalsBirdsInvertebrates

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