Florida
Razor-clawed carnivorous invasive reptiles spreading in South Florida pose bigger threat than iguanas, officials say
They swim with paddle-like tails, climb trees using hooked claws and hunt on land. Nile monitor lizards, powerful carnivores that can grow longer than six feet, are spreading through South Florida, earning a reputation from wildlife officials as one of the most dangerous invasive reptiles in the state.
Data show sightings have grown significantly in recent years, particularly in the Florida Peninsula, where entire neighborhoods in Cape Coral are now considered their established habitat.
According to EDDMapS data, Lee County, in the Tampa Bay area, leads the state with 1,616 reported sightings, followed by Palm Beach County with 299, Miami-Dade with 76, and Broward with 68.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission classified the Nile monitor as an invasive species and added it to Florida’s Prohibited species list in April 2021.
Where do Nile monitors come from? And how did they get to Florida?
The Nile monitor is a semi-aquatic lizard native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest lizard species in Africa, and according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the largest and most dangerous non-native lizard established in the United States.
Adults can stretch more than 7.5 feet long and weigh over 20 pounds, according to USGS. FWC said a typical adult in Florida averages about 5 feet and roughly 15 pounds.
They’re olive green to black with yellow striping on the head and jaw. Their tails are long and flattened like a paddle, which experts say helps them swim. They can stay underwater for 12 to 15 minutes and are just as comfortable climbing trees as they are moving through canals.
USGS said they’re also smart, adaptable and highly mobile, traits that make invasive species especially difficult to control.
In Africa, Nile monitors are found throughout much of the continent, especially near rivers, wetlands and lakes.
In Florida, wildlife officials believe most populations stem from the pet trade.
According to FWC and USGS, monitors likely arrived through escaped or intentionally released pets. They can break out of cages using their claws or push open enclosures. Some may have escaped during hurricanes that damaged reptile facilities. Others may have been released when they became too large or difficult to handle.
Once established near canals and waterways, they found ideal habitat. South Florida’s extensive canal system essentially acts like a highway network for a semi-aquatic reptile, experts say.
Why are Nile monitors considered dangerous?
Nile monitors are powerful wild predators that are generally not aggressive toward people unless cornered, wildlife experts said.
FWC described them as “generalist feeders,” meaning they eat almost anything they can overpower. That includes fish, frogs, turtles, snakes, birds and their eggs, small mammals and even young crocodiles.
Because they raid nests, they pose a risk to protected species such as sea turtles, gopher tortoises, burrowing owls and the American crocodile, according to FWC and USGS.
USGS noted their size and defensive behavior make them potentially dangerous to pets and, if cornered, to humans. They can bite with strong jaws, slash with sharp claws or whip their muscular tails.
FWC warned residents not to attempt to capture them.
In Cape Coral, where the largest known population exists, residents have reported monitors digging burrows along canal banks and roaming residential streets.
“There are a lot of invasive monitors, especially in our neighborhood,” Cape Coral resident Jack Schwartz told local television station WZVN on Feb. 20.
Alane Passero described one running inside her home.
“[Out of the] corner of my eye, I see this huge monster running in my house straight to the back door. The nails are clacking on the floor. I’m screaming my head off,” she said.
Florida Nile monitors vs. green iguanas
South Florida residents are used to seeing green iguanas, especially after cold snaps. But Nile monitors are a different animal.
Green iguanas are mostly plant-eaters. Nile monitors are carnivores that actively hunt vertebrate prey.
Monitors are bulkier, with longer necks, narrower snouts and thicker, more muscular tails. They also have a blue tongue, a distinctive trait noted by USGS.
And while iguanas can grow large, no native or commonly seen lizard in Florida approaches the Nile monitor’s size and strength.
Where are Nile monitor sightings growing the most in Florida?
According to EDDMapS:
- Lee County: 1,616 sightings
- Palm Beach County: 299
- Miami-Dade: 76
- Broward: 68
USGS stated the species is firmly established in Lee County and spreading into Charlotte County. FWC confirmed established populations in Lee and Palm Beach counties, with additional reports across South Florida.
Recent confirmed sightings include:
- Cape Coral in Lee County, Aug. 7, 2025
- Boynton Beach in Palm Beach, Sept. 10, 2025
- Broward, Jan. 16, 2024
- Miami-Dade, Nov. 19, 2021
While some counties report isolated individuals, experts caution that single sightings should not automatically be dismissed as escaped pets.
Can Florida stop the spread of Nile monitor lizards?
Florida wildlife experts say full eradication is no longer considered feasible, according to USGS and researchers at the University of Florida.
FWC actively removes Nile monitors from known populations and encourages residents to report sightings through the IveGot1 app or by calling 888-483-4681.
The reptiles can be humanely killed on private property without a permit. The City of Cape Coral operates a local trapping program, and federal partners manage populations at Homestead Air Reserve Base.
For now, wildlife officials say early reporting is key.
And for South Florida residents, the message is simple: if you see what looks like a small dinosaur near your canal, don’t approach it — take a photo and call it in.
Heading into Sunday afternoon, everything was set up for Florida on a silver platter to not only advance out of Regionals, but to also waltz straight to Omaha. The Gators had their pitching staff in good shape, the bats were hot, and it looked like all the early-season woes would become a footnote in history.
Fast forward a little over 24 hours, and Florida’s season is done after a collapse by its pitching staff, combined with a couple of questionable decisions by Kevin O’Sullivan, along with Florida hitters who just couldn’t solve Troy on Monday night.
Florida loses to Troy and has its season end
O’Sullivan opted to start Cooper Walls, who began the year as the Sunday starter but quickly lost that job and was relegated to jumping back and forth between starting in the midweek and coming out of the bullpen.
It didn’t go well for Walls as he was immediately tagged for two runs in the first inning and pulled for Caden McDonald in the second.
But McDonald settled things down and gave Florida more than a fair shot to take control of the game. And while the Gators had some decent swings here and there, it was clear that they couldn’t catch up to the fastball with any consistency.
Mind you, it was a fastball from Troy that was hovering around 90 MPH, not some 97 MPH flamethrower or frankly someone throwing random junk Florida couldn’t figure out. And the problem for Florida is that even when it did something right, it combined it with something wrong. Kyle Jones hit a RBI single to pull things to 2-1, but got thrown out at second base in the process.
Then came the decision from O’Sullivan in the sixth inning that ultimately sent the game south. McDonald was cruising and was nearing 50 pitches for his outing. Given he had also thrown 26 pitches against Rider on Friday, one could argue O’Sullivan was trying to protect his arm.
So out came Russell Sandefer, who was the starter against Rider. He promptly walked three straight batters.
And in the decision that ultimately swung the game, O’Sullivan went with Ernesto Lugo-Canchola out of the bullpen with bases loaded and no outs. This was after Lugo-Canchola gave up two runs last night against Troy. Five runs later, three of which were charged to Sandefer, it was 7-1, and that was that.
Wasted opportunity for Florida
It’s the first time in program history that Florida started a Regional 2-0 and didn’t make it out to Super Regionals. And what ultimately ended Florida’s season was the inability of anyone on Florida’s staff not named McDonald or Jackson Barberi to get through their outing clean this weekend.
Liam Peterson was shelled on Sunday.
Walls and Lugo-Canchola were hand-picked from the transfer portal ahead of this season and were shelled on Monday night.
The reality is that O’Sullivan pushed all the wrong buttons on Monday. He went to Sandefer hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, and it didn’t work. He went to Lugo-Canchola even after he got tagged last night, while Joshua Whritenour was “saved” for later. In addition, guys like Ricky Reeth and Luke McNeillie were sitting right there after not pitching on Sunday.
And again, whatever approach Florida’s hitters had on Monday was also an issue, as they couldn’t catch up to a 90 MPH fastball. For good measure, all the defensive woes that plagued Florida to start the season also came flooding back.
Florida ends its season 41-21.
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A 64-year-old man accused of trying to kidnap a 74-year-old woman with whom he’d had a romantic relationship was arrested May 31, according to Port St. Lucie Police on June 1.
Jose Tsu Zamora was jailed on charges of attempted kidnapping while armed with a firearm; battery on a person 65 years of age or older; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; aggravated stalking (violation of injunction); and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police stated.
Zamora, a resident of North Miami, was apprehended May 31 by police and U.S. Marshals in Hialeah.
The case began about 10:49 a.m. May 31 as police investigated an incident at First United Methodist Church on Southwest Prima Vista Boulevard.
“The investigation revealed that Zamora, who previously had a romantic relationship with the victim, approached her in the church parking lot despite an active injunction prohibiting contact,” police stated. “According to the investigation, Zamora … attempted to force the victim into a vehicle against her will while armed with a handgun.”
Two good Samaritans confronted Zamora, telling him to let go of the woman, police stated.
During the confrontation, police stated, Zamora is accused of “displaying a firearm before retreating to his vehicle and fleeing the scene.”
Video surveillance depicted Zamora pursuing the 74-year-old woman in the parking lot, restraining her and trying to “force her toward a vehicle.”
Zamora ultimately was taken into custody in Hialeah.
He is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail on $745,000 bond, according to police.
Zamora was arrested in March in St. Lucie County on charges of possession of a firearm or ammunition by convicted felon and tampering with evidence, though the latter charge ultimately was dropped, according to St. Lucie County Clerk’s records. The case is continuing through the court system, records show.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
TAMPA, Fla – Tampa homeowners could soon see lower property tax bills under a new proposal that aims to significantly increase the state’s homestead exemption.
Proposed homestead exemption expansion
What we know:
A new state proposal aims to significantly lower property tax bills for homeowners by expanding the current homestead exemption. Tampa homeowner Jeff James noted that current property tax rates have become unaffordable for seniors living on fixed incomes. James explained that a 50% reduction in property taxes would allow local families to redirect their money toward essential costs like groceries or childcare. “It will help the people that have, you know, three or $400,000 houses, property tax-wise, the older people, retired people that sometimes can’t even afford just a property tax payment,” James said.
The Historic Capitol building stands in Tallahassee, where state lawmakers and local leaders are deeply divided over the long-term impact of expanding the homestead exemption.
Timeline for tax changes
By the numbers:
According to the proposal, the state homestead exemption would increase from the current $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027. The exemption would then jump to $250,000 in 2028. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the primary purpose of the change is to make homestead property tax-free, calling the potential shift historic.
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference advocating for constitutional tax relief, stating that the new homestead proposal aims to make primary residences completely property tax-free.
The other side:
Some residents spoke to FOX 13 off camera, expressing fear that the massive tax cuts could eliminate necessary community services. Property taxes are a primary funding source for local schools, public safety, infrastructure and emergency operations. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor urged voters to carefully consider the services they might lose before casting their ballots. “They see ‘tax cut,’ of course; everybody wants that,” Mayor Castor said. “But think about the services that you’re going to lose if you do vote.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor addresses reporters at a local infrastructure site, warning voters that a massive reduction in property tax revenues could trigger steep cuts to vital city services.
Budget adjustments and spending
What they’re saying:
“There are a lot of people here and maybe not in this little area, but right outside of this area that need that help,” James said. He suggested that local governments could protect emergency services by cutting superfluous spending instead of cutting public safety. “Move money around the right way and not make sure it doesn’t reduce police, fire department, everything else,” James said.
Future ballot measures
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet detailed how local municipalities will balance their budgets if the tax revenues disappear. Because the changes require a special amendment to the state constitution, it remains unknown whether voters will approve the measure when it hits the ballot this November.
The Source: Information in this story comes from interviews done by FOX 13’s Danielle Zulkosky, a press conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis and a Fox 13 interview with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
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