Dr. Steve A. JohnsonAssistant Professor/Extension Specialist

Gulf Coast REC and Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation

tadpole@ufl.edu

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