Florida is better than ever!

[82Rigger]

Yes, folks, we here in the Sunshine State are always trying to create new and exciting adventures for you!

In addition to hurricanes, mosquitoes, sharks, and alligators, we now offer for your enjoyment....

Monitor lizards.

A 6 foot 2 inch Nile Monitor was captured near Cape Coral this week-end.

This was the FIFTH, and largest, one captured in recent weeks.

Apparently, in the not-too-distant past, somebody had a pair of these lizards as pets and released them into the wild.

Environmentalists estimate the population of these creatures around Cape Coral to be about 1,000 animals.

Harry Phillips, an environmental technician, said some of the bigger Nile monitor lizards get cocky and pick fights with alligators.
The alligators, he said, usually win.

Ya know, I really do hope that any exotic pet owners in Florida never get bored with their cobras or bamboo vipers.

Nile Monitor:

[39mto39g]

Thats one of the reasons Ive always said that people shouldn't be aloud to oun anything more than a dog or a cat. People are just stupid and they will release that Cobra into the wild or a park which ever is closer.

[Robert Ryan]

Sorry folks but this kid was born and raised in NYC, the only thing I had to worry about was rats, man finding a lizard that big in your yard, or a gator on the front porch is not for me. Saw enough snakes, lizards and whatever else animal in Vietnam, that was enough for me. Like it here in Elk Grove, CA. So far haven't seen any creatures that are bigger than me, or can decide I'm their next meal.

[revwardoc]

Looks like the Geico ghecko on steroids.

[Robert Ryan]

revwardoc, I like that, thanks for a laugh.