Nile Crocodiles In Florida, Eventually Sanibel?
American Crocodile, Florida, File Photo: Courtesy Of FWC.
Nile Crocodile Spread An Eventuality For All Of Florida?
The BBC and other news sources are reporting the presence of Nile Crocodiles in Florida.
“It is not known for certain how they reached the US. “They didn’t swim from Africa,” said University of Florida herpetologist Kenneth Krysko.
One likely possibility was that they were brought in illegally by unlicensed collectors, who then failed to keep them secured or intentionally released them, Mr Krysko told the Associated Press news agency.
The animals were found in 2009, 2011 and 2014 and were confirmed as Nile crocodiles by a recent DNA test.
Historical Crocodile Distribution, Florida, Courtesy Of FWC.
The Nile species can grow to up to 6m (20ft), significantly larger than local alligators, which commonly grow up to 4m.” BBC
An American Crocodile famously and peacefully inhabited Sanibel’s “Ding” ‘Darling National Wildlife Refuge for many years, with no issues or aggressive behavior toward humans. It was once relocated back to the most southern portion of the Florida Everglades, where American Crocodiles are commonly found.
After several months, “Wilma,” the same female crocodile, reappeared in “Ding” Darling, having instinctually migrated back to Sanibel. After that, she was left alone and lived for many years on Sanibel. Sanibel’s American Crocodile died durning a particularly extended cold snap in January of 2010.
