But Nile crocodiles, the researchers say, can grow much larger than their American counterparts—up to 18 feet long. It eats just about anything — including humans. In Mississippi, Nile crocodiles have been released but were recaptured quickly. Their predatory tendencies have earned them the reputation as one of the biggest threats to humans and wildlife alike. In 2009, 2011 and 2014, Nile crocodiles were said to be living in Florida swamps and were confirmed as Nile crocodiles by a DNA test – it is unclear how they made the 6,000-mile journey but sources think that they were brought over illegally. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Let’s find out. All three Nile crocodiles were captured in extreme South Florida – one in 2009, one in 2011 and one in 2014 – the report added. That facility bred Nile crocodiles and said it would no longer do so, according to the spokeswoman. A team of scientists has identified three reptiles captured near Miami as Nile crocodiles, a species native to Africa. They live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar in rivers, freshwater marshes, and mangrove swamps. On the other hand, when Nile crocs are in their native habitat, "fully grown adults are much more prone to looking at humans as food." It is the most widespread of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas, with populations present from South Florida and the coasts of Mexico to as far south as Peru and Venezuela. Between 2002 and 2004, the researchers have studied populations of crocodiles in the state. Researchers have confirmed that three Nile crocodiles were captured near … One of the most notoriously dangerous ones certainly has to be the Nile crocodile. Using a DNA analysis, they determined all four were related to Nile crocodiles, or Crocodylus niloticus, which are native to various parts of Africa. "How these crocodiles got into Florida is a mystery, but their presence is both fascinating and somewhat alarming because there could be more out there, and they're potentially dangerous to humans," Ken Warren, a spokesman for the U.S. The first, a hatchling, was found on a front porch and sent to a Louisiana reptile exhibit. A University of Florida herpetologist said he isn’t sure how the Nile crocodile got into the Everglades. Four Nile crocodiles have been found in Florida by scientists from the University of Florida. Recent DNA analysis has confirmed that three crocodilians captured in southern Florida between 2009 and 2014 were actually Nile crocodiles, reports Oliver … 2020 BuzzSharer.com, This article is also published as a forum topic here », The 100 Most Popular Boy and Girl Dog Names of 2020, How these 12 dog breeds got their original names, How To Properly Give Your Pets Natural Oils, How to Feed a Dog With a Sensitive Stomach. S potting native alligators and crocodiles in Florida is common, but anyone who sees a large reptile may want to take a second look— man-eaters that can grow to 18 feet long and weigh as much as a small car have been found in the Sunshine State.. After a long and strenuous chase, they finally managed to capture the reptile. In addition to this, there are also quite a few species of them out there, and their traits are heavily influenced by their geographical location. Final Thoughts Scientists have confirmed the presence of at least a few Nile crocodiles in South Florida. But how did this species make it all the way there? All three Nile crocodiles were captured in extreme South Florida. Regrettably, people who own dangerous pets without a license aren’t too prone to this type of responsive behavior. The only possible solution to this situation is if their owners surrender them willingly and without any incidents. A dangerous Nile crocodile has been captured alive in Florida's Everglades National Park after a two year hunt. Nile crocodiles are from Africa. The researchers note that between 2010 and 2014, Nile crocodiles in Africa were responsible for at least 354 deaths and 493 attacks on humans. Deadly Nile Crocodiles Found In Florida Waters. If you did not know, Nile Crocodiles are primarily found in the Nile River in Africa. Using a DNA analysis, they determined all four were related to Nile crocodiles, or Crocodylus niloticus, which are native to various parts of Africa. Nile crocodiles are safely bred in a facility in the state, but there certainly are a lot of irresponsible individuals out there who enjoy owning Nile crocodiles without a proper permit. "All of these animals were captured years ago and are believed to have come from the same facility," the spokeswoman says. The three captured ones were loose for years before being spotted. The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a species of crocodilian found in the Neotropics. All three Nile crocodiles were captured in extreme South Florida. That facility bred Nile crocodiles and said it would no longer do so, according to the spokeswoman. "It took us two years to catch up to that sucker," says Frank Mazzotti, a professor at the university's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. These officials conduct regular routine inspections and surveys to look out for exotic and invasive species. The Nile crocodile looks almost identical to the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus. As of last week, 82 facilities in Florida held licenses for Class I Crocodylia, a designation that includes Nile crocs. Because Nile crocodiles are larger, they can easily compete with the much smaller Floridian reptiles, and even hunt them for sport. It certainly didn’t swim across the Atlantic, so here’s what you need to know. Nile Crocs can get up to 20 feet long and kill about 200 people in Africa every year. According to National Geographic, it is the largest crocodilian on the continent, as it can grow up to 20 feet and weigh as much as 1,650 pounds. Researchers with the University of Florida and elsewhere found out about the crocodile and went to hunt it down. Posted on May 19, 2016, at 10:54 p.m. This was because it wasn’t an American alligator or an Everglades alligator, but a Nile crocodile. In Africa, Nile crocs have a wide range—the area where a species lives. And while American crocs are quite gentle, the ones from the Nile are a completely different story. Among crocodilians today, only the saltwater crocodile occurs over a broader geographic area, although other species, especially the spectacled caiman(Caiman crocodilus) (due to its small size and extreme adaptability in habitat and flexibility in diet), seem to actually be more abundant. Someone else had caught this particular reptile once before, back in 2012, but quickly released it because he didn't have the permit to keep it. Nile crocodiles have been introduced to Mississippi and Florida in the past but were recaptured before they established themselves in … This prompts us to wonder: how did it get there? However, a worrying population seems to be on the rise in the American state of Florida. On its native continent of Africa, it is known as a vicious man-eater that claims around 200 lives per year. Using DNA analysis, University of Florida researchers have confirmed the capture of multiple Nile crocodiles in the wild. What is more, Florida has a reputation for illegal exotic animal holding. The Nile crocodile’s presence isn’t prevalent quite yet, but it could very well be soon enough if this toxic trade doesn’t come to an end. According to a study by researchers from the University of Florida, DNA testing has shown that three juvenile crocodiles captured in the wild between 2000 and 2014 are indeed of the deadly African lineage of the Nile crocodile. Fish and Wildlife Service, says by email. Obviously, the crocodile couldn’t swim all the way over itself from Africa. Florida can now add the notorious Nile crocodile to the list of exotic and dangerous non-native species that have been found in the sunshine state. Upon first seeing it, expedition member Frank Mazzotti recalled thinking about how odd it looked compared to the species of the area. Three Nile crocodiles found in Florida swamps. It's not time to panic just yet. Authorities don't want to wait until this invasive species becomes a problem. Now four have been found in Florida… Michelle Broder Van Dyke BuzzFeed News Reporter. These beasts have a bad habit of being overly aggressive and carnivorous. We can only hope that the attempt will be successful. The discovery of Nile crocodiles in Florida has brought more attention to the broader issue of invasive species. Step aside, Burmese python — you may no longer be Florida's scariest invasive species. Previously, using DNA analysis, they found three Nile crocs: one was a foot long hatchling sitting on a porch in Miami. The first documented appearance of the Nile crocodile in Florida was back in 2012, when someone caught it and had to release it back into the wild due to lack of a proper permit. They are the American Aligator’s violent cousin and are not to be taken lightly. They could probably survive anywhere in Florida. ", You have 4 free articles remaining this month, Sign-up to our daily newsletter for more articles like this + access to 5 extra articles. Mazzotti concedes that his findings don't mean that Nile crocodiles are a full-blown invasive species. The first documented appearance of the Nile crocodile in Florida was back in 2012, when someone caught it and had to release it back into the wild due to lack of a proper permit. "No captive animals are unaccounted for." (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); When the researchers located the crocodile in a canal, Mazzotti recalls, the question on everyone's mind was whether it was "going to come willingly." It evolved on the African continent, where it still resides to this day. Mazzotti and other researchers from the University of Florida studied that crocodile and three other strange-looking crocs captured between 2000 and 2014, and they recently published their findings in the journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology. The most likely explanation is that an animal trader brought them illegally to Florida, where he hoped to keep them as pets, or worse, planned to breed them. Only four have ever been reported to have done so, likely the same four the University of Florida researchers studied. Liveandgive4x4 went to the beautiful Everglades National Park and while Stand Up Paddling they had a scary encounter with a big crocodile. Still, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, which lists the Nile crocodile as threatened because of its declining population in its native habitats, says the University of Florida findings are concerning. Their presence in the state of Florida isn’t a threat only to the human population of the area, but also for its native crocs. Three reptiles captured between 2000 and 2014 in South Florida were Nile crocodiles, University of Florida researchers confirm in a report published in April in the Journal of Herpetological Conservation and Biology. The Nile crocodile, which inhabits sub-Saharan Africa, can grow to 21 feet long and weigh one and a half tons. In an interesting twist, the captured crocodiles are all related to each other, but not to any other Nile crocodiles kept (legally) in Florida, at licensed attractions like Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At least two Nile crocodiles were found living in the warm swamps of Florida, but it's not clear how the animals got all the way from Africa to the U.S. By Michelle Broder Van Dyke. Unfortunately for the residents of the American state of Florida, the nightmare of many Africans is now their own as well. Nile crocodiles have been captured in the Everglades in 2009, 2011, and 2014. However, average-sized specimens are 16 feet long and have a weight of 500 pounds. Upon hearing these statistics, the Nile crocodile is certainly one of the last predators on Earth you’d want to have in your vicinity. Even though this might seem considerably less, they are still rather large reptiles. Show Clips. "We do what we do...so that when a species is introduced, you have an early detection, you have a rapid response, and you remove it, and none of those bad things happen. In 2014, 10 or so people were scouring Everglades National Park at the southern tip of Florida in an attempt to capture a crocodile. “I think this will open people’s eyes to the problem,” says Krysko. The Nile crocodile is presently the most common crocodilian in Africa, and is distributed throughout much of the continent. Nevertheless, the Nile crocodile shares a lot of similar traits with its American brethren. The notable difference between the two species is that the former can grow considerably larger in size, as mentioned above. Genetic tests of the Florida Nile crocs revealed that two (and possibly a third) are most closely related to Nile crocodiles found in South Africa. This means that, when one or more escape under these circumstances, the incident will go unreported and lead to complications. For video troubleshooting and help click here. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Two years later, in 2014, a team of 10 researchers and university professors of the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, scoured the Everglades to do the same. What does this mean for Florida’s invasive species problem? The Threat upon Florida Nile Crocodiles, however, are feral and were introduced fairly recently. "The American crocodile is one of the most gentle species of crocodilian," Mazzotti says. By their very nature, crocodiles and alligators aren’t docile creatures. American crocodiles don't eat humans. powered by. There may be a deadly new invasive species lurking in Florida's swamps. Florida is also home to a native crocodilian — the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is found along the southern coastline of the peninsula and out into the Keys. Their temperaments are quite different too. To continue reading login or create an account. As of right now, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission officials aren’t worried, and believe they have captured all the Nile crocodiles in the area, since there have been no other confirmed sightings and no unaccounted for captive animals. Speaking with Newsweek via email, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission points out that because Nile crocodiles are exotic animals, Floridians must have permits for them and report if they escape. While Nile crocodiles have not killed any people in Florida yet, the local’s familiarity with crocodiles and indifference towards them could serve as a curse, because apart from their size (Nile crocodiles can grow up to 16.5 feet), there are no other significant visual cues to tell American (Crocodylus Acutus) and African species apart, at least from a distance. They were found as far north as the Mediterranea… Nile crocs are usually bronze or brownish yellow; alligators are blackish green. That's because it wasn't the typical American crocodile native to the area, but a Nile croc, native to parts of Africa. Illegal exotic pet ownership in Florida has created an unforeseen threat for both the residents of the area and the native crocodile population. Still, the species is considered a state-wide threat due to its potentially dangerous impact. See why nearly a quarter of a million subscribers begin their day with the Starting 5. Apparently, it is as the Nile Crocodile has now been captured twice around Miami, Florida. Poll ; Watch Live. "That's a weird-looking crocodile," Mazzotti recalls thinking when he saw it for the first time. These massive, predatory beasts can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) long and weigh more than 1,600 pounds (725 kilograms). University of Florida researchers say they are the first to document Nile crocodiles in the state out of captivity, though all of the animals had escaped enclosures. At least two Nile crocodiles native to Africa have been found living in the wild in Florida — with more possibly lurking — where they pose a threat to the already fragile Everglades ecosystem and could cause serious injury to … The researchers say these are the first documented cases of Nile crocodiles in Florida out of captivity. Having them in Florida can also hurt native croc populations, which are suffering because of human impact, through competing with or preying on them, they wrote. About the Nile Crocodile This species’ historic range, however, was even wider. Both crocodiles and alligators are indigenous to Florida. Two years later, in 2014, a team of 10 researchers and university professors of the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, scoured the Everglades to do the same. In fact, only four have been reported so far, and all the loose crocodilians have been captured. In other words, it's not likely that Nile crocs are being born in the wild in the U.S. And "there is no evidence to suggest Nile crocodiles exist in the wild in Florida" at all, the spokeswoman adds. Does Florida have crocs? After several hours, the team zeroed in on the crocodile, with nets. add this to the already impending doom of human blood sport, and we’ve got a soon to be endangered species. Nile crocodiles, native to Africa, can reach 20 feet in length and weigh up to 1,650 pounds, according to National Geographic. An April 2016 study in the journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology has confirmed the presence of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), native to Africa, in South Florida. Still, up to this point there haven’t been too many cases similar to this. "All that really means is that they've escaped captivity, and it doesn't mean that they're established and breeding," he says. In other words, it’s not likely that Nile crocs are being born in the wild in the U.S. And “there is no evidence to suggest Nile crocodiles exist in the wild in Florida” at all, the spokeswoman adds. At this point, it’s more a question of civic duty than anything else. Gigantic Alligator Caught on Florida Farm, Alligator Euthanized After Eating Florida Burglary Suspect. Scientifically known as the Crocodylus niloticus, the Nile crocodile is a carnivorous reptile that has quite the reputation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); © Still, the state of Florida has pleaded to its population for immediate action. This happens mostly due to how close its natural habitat is to human settlements, as well as the fact that it has an indiscriminate diet.