Another Iinvasive Species In Everglades, Tegu Liizards

[WingedMonkey]

Cameras in Florida have caught tegu lizards stealing eggs from alligator nests, raising concerns among wildlife officials about the threat the invasive lizard poses to native species.

Researchers at the University of Florida set up cameras monitoring two nests in the Everglades during the spring and summer of 2013. What they captured confirmed their suspicions: The non-native lizard is preying on native species' eggs, threatening major ecological damage.


http://mashable.com/2014/07/10/florida-invasive-species/#:eyJzIjoiZiIsImkiOiJfdXVuOTlkM3BuaWthdWxmM3Y5bnZl d18ifQ

[Dogwood]

Ecology, when questionable human behavior is factored in, certainly does lead to some interesting and sometimes(often?) disastrous results.

[WingedMonkey]

The lizards have a taste for eggs — both reptile and bird — but they will also eat small mammals, insects and fruit. “Everything they get their jaws around, plant or animal, they seem to swallow,” Dr. Mazzotti said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/05/science/a-lizard-interloper-presents-challenge-in-florida.html?_r=4

[Pedaling Fool]

I don't understand the appeal to reptiles, they're dumb animals, hence the term Lizard Brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PqnVIDdDT8

[Old Hiker]

Great. Thanks, all you reptile freaks who can't/won't look at how large your "loveable" lizard or python would get. The only thing left in the Everglades will be Burmese pythons and tegu lizards.