Florida officials aim to prevent python-like spread of other non-native wildlife

The state is targeting several non-native species in hopes of controlling the animals before they become the next Burmese python, the next foreign critter, to invade and eviscerate the Sunshine State. 

Pythons, iguanas, a plethora of freshwater fish and even monstrous lizards like the Argentine black and white tegu have established themselves in Florida over the past few decades. Most of them are here to stay. 

Now animals like flying fox squirrels, mongoose, three types of anacondas, Java sparrows and a handful of others are being singled out by wildlife managers before the animals can take hold and cause damage.

"These animals are considered a high-risk to Florida and are already listed by the (federal government) as injurious, meaning that they are considered potentially invasive at the national level," said Michelle Kerr, with the Florid Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in an email. "The species being considered are those that have been found to pose a risk to the environment, human health and safety, or the economy of the state of Florida."

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From parasitic and walking catfish to piranhas and sea snakes, nearly 600 non-native species have been introduced here, and about 20 percent of those have taken hold and now call Florida home. 

"Florida is considered a big hot spot for invasive species establishment," said Kristen Sommers with the FWC, at a recent meeting. "Over 60,000 observations, not including lionfish, have been recorded. We believe most of the observations are single individuals that have escaped or been released. Despite that, of the over 500 species (that have been introduced), more than 150 species at least are considered to be reproducing."

Lionfish are a venomous saltwater fish that are found mostly on offshore reefs. More than 500,000 have been caught and removed from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, according to FWC records. 

Iguanas are known for burrowing holes in canals, which often causes the sea wall or structure to collapse. 

Pythons are known for eating just about anything, from small rare rodents to adult deer and alligators. 

FWC commissioners will vote on whether to add this latest group of animals later this year. 

If approved, the measure would only allow permitted owners to keep and transport pets like mongoose and yellow anacondas. 

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Invasive animals have advantages in that they don't have natural predators living here, and some animals are better able to adapt to changing conditions in the Everglades than native ones. 

It is illegal to release any animal that is not native to Florida, although not all species are able to establish breeding populations or damage local plants and wildlife. 

Permitted ownership of most of these animals is allowed, although the permit holder must go through an education and facilities inspection process. 

Burmese pythons are the most notorious of the prohibited species because they can grow to 20 feet and eat everything. 

"We’re not going to get them out," said FWC Commissioner Joshua Kellam at September's commission meeting. "They’re going to be there, and they’re going to continue to multiply, and we’re going to be throwing money at trying to keep as much of a handle on it as we can, but it’s gotten out of control." 

Kellam said penalties, which are mostly misdemeanor offenses, should be stiffer to further discourage unlicensed owners from breeding and selling prohibited animals. 

Non-native animals feed on and compete with native wildlife for breeding and feeding grounds. 

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Fighting them is difficult and expensive: State and federal agencies spend about $8 million a year to control and combat non-native species.

About $500,000 of that money is spent controlling the tegu, a relatively smart and social lizard that's also a popular pet. 

Some pet shop owners and breeders say they think the state is going too far with its latest list, that some of the animals don't belong in the same group as Burmese pythons — even if they're giant snakes. 

"The word anaconda scares a lot of people," said Michael Cole, owner of Ballroom Pythons South in Haines City. "They’ve been imported to this country since the mid-60s, and to my knowledge we’ve had six captures of those animals in the wild in our country. That’s a long time for this animal to be in the country and a very small number of captures."

Connect with this reporter: Chad Gillis on Twitter.