(herps in the news) Wanted: The Invasive Tegu, Last seen In Southern Florida

Invasive species are a problem- a problem that persists endless generations. The Tegu, Salvator merianae, was introduced to southern Florida from breeders in 2002. Despite multiple trapping efforts, only recently has it seemed that the capture rate has been decreasing, indicating that the populations are also decreasing. 

Tegu

The Tegu has been a constant problem since they're known to eat native crocodile and bird eggs, along with native insects.

Although the populations have been decreasing, the amount of damage that the invasive species has caused might be too great to rebound back from, and we do not know how long it will take for the Tegu species to be diminished from Florida, or even if the species will move on up into other states.

This species is just an example of how easy it is to introduce a species and how much time and effort it takes to correct the grave mistake.


Source:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article147116114.html