Dr. Steve A. JohnsonAssistant Professor/Extension Specialist
Gulf Coast REC and Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
Birds:~200 species documented in FLAbout 15 established and breeding species
Mammals:~30 species documented in FLAbout 15 established and breeding species
Fish:~100 species documented in FLAbout 25 established and breeding species
*Reptiles: ~125 species documented in FLAt least 40 established and breeding species
*Amphibians: ~ 10 species documented in FLThree established and breeding species
National Invasive Species Council http://www.invasivespecies.gov/
Cold-kills of Cold-kills of Introduced Introduced Amphibians Amphibians and Reptilesand Reptiles
• PythonsPythons• Non-burrowing LizardsNon-burrowing Lizards
• Brown AnolesBrown Anoles• Cuban TreefrogsCuban Treefrogs
Another Another Established Established Python in Florida?Python in Florida?
• African Rock PythonAfrican Rock Python• Kendall Lakes, MiamiKendall Lakes, Miami• 20 individuals documented20 individuals documented
• Gravid femalesGravid females• Hatchling shed skinHatchling shed skin• Possibly dispersingPossibly dispersing
Florida Legislation & FWC Proposed RulesFlorida Legislation & FWC Proposed Rules• Florida CongressFlorida Congress
• Senate Bill 318 / House Bill 709Senate Bill 318 / House Bill 709• Passed by Congress 27 Apr 2010Passed by Congress 27 Apr 2010• Awaiting Signature by Gov. CristAwaiting Signature by Gov. Crist• Prohibits possession, sale, import, or Prohibits possession, sale, import, or
breeding of current ROCs and breeding of current ROCs and conditional or prohibited species conditional or prohibited species (current or future) without FWC (current or future) without FWC permitpermit
• Increases penalties/fines for violationsIncreases penalties/fines for violations
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Draft RulesConservation Commission Draft Rules• Proposed rules passed 28 April 2010Proposed rules passed 28 April 2010• ROCs will become conditional speciesROCs will become conditional species• Export will be allowed – with Export will be allowed – with
conditionsconditions• Strict labeling for wildlife shipmentsStrict labeling for wildlife shipments
Current Reptiles of Concern in FL
Burmese Python
Northern African Rock Python
Reticulated Python
Amethystine or Scrub Python
Green Anaconda
Nile Monitor LizardConditional and prohibited vertebrates include piranha, electric eels, sea snakes, and red-eared slider turtles.
Federal Legislation & USFWS Proposed RuleFederal Legislation & USFWS Proposed Rule
• Lacey Act – Lacey Act – • Injurious wildlife cannot Injurious wildlife cannot
be imported or be imported or transported across state transported across state lineslines
• Proposed to list several Proposed to list several constrictors as injurious: constrictors as injurious: • USFWSUSFWS• SB 373 / HR 2811*SB 373 / HR 2811*
*Originally proposed to list *Originally proposed to list ALL genus ALL genus Python Python as as injuriousinjurious
• HR 669 HR 669 - evaluate invasive - evaluate invasive potential of exotic importspotential of exotic imports
Species Included US FWS
SB 373
HR 2811*
RISK (USGS)
Burmese Python YES YES YES HIGH
Northern African Rock Python
YES YES YES HIGH
Southern African Rock Python
YES YES NO HIGH
Reticulated Python YES YES NO MEDIUM
Common Boa Constrictor
YES YES NO HIGH
Green Anaconda YES YES NO MEDIUM
Yellow Anaconda YES YES NO HIGH
DeShaunsee’s Anaconda
YES YES NO MEDIUM
Beni or Bolivian Anaconda
YES YES NO MEDIUM
Public comment period regarding Lacey ActPublic comment period regarding Lacey Act•Comment period ends May 11Comment period ends May 11•Submit comments at Submit comments at •http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480abc25c home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480abc25c
Early Detection Early Detection and Distribution and Distribution Mapping SystemMapping System
• Find Species Information Find Species Information • View Distribution MapsView Distribution Maps• Report New Sightings Report New Sightings
http://www.eddmaps.org/florida/
Cooperative Cooperative Invasive Species Invasive Species Management Management AreasAreas(CISMAs)(CISMAs)
http://www.floridainvasives.org/cismas.html
Dr. Steve A. JohnsonMonica E. McGarrity
EDIS Fact SheetsEDIS Fact Sheets
• Cuban Treefrog in FLCuban Treefrog in FL• Treefrog House (CTF Trap)Treefrog House (CTF Trap)• Florida’s Introduced Birds Florida’s Introduced Birds • And more coming soon… And more coming soon…
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_a23708620
Cuban Treefrog Cuban Treefrog Citizen Scientist Citizen Scientist ProgramProgram
• Catch FrogsCatch Frogs• Identify FrogsIdentify Frogs• Euthanize Invasive Euthanize Invasive CTFsCTFs• Measure FrogsMeasure Frogs• Submit Data ReportsSubmit Data Reports• Watch for Native Frogs!Watch for Native Frogs!
http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/citizen_sci.shtml
The Invader The Invader UpdaterUpdater
• Quarterly NewsletterQuarterly Newsletter• Accompanying WebsiteAccompanying Website
• Focal SpeciesFocal Species• NewsNews• ScienceScience• LegislationLegislation• InnovationInnovation• And more…And more…
http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/InvaderUpdater.shtml
Invasive Reptile Invasive Reptile Early Detection: Early Detection: Observer Training Observer Training ModuleModule
• Learn to:Learn to:• Scan SafelyScan Safely• Identify InvadersIdentify Invaders• Collect Accurate Collect Accurate
DataData• Submit ReportsSubmit Reports
http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/reptileobserver.shtml
OurOurUFWILDLIFE UFWILDLIFE websitewebsite
http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu