CAPE CORAL, Fla., - An invasive species is threatening wildlife, pets and people in Cape Coral. The city says steady sightings of the nile monitor lizard continue to be an issue.
Several nile monitors were caught this week, including one near Mohawk and Skyline Blvd. The city says they catch about 5 or 6 on average each week.
Coming in at 4 to 6 feet, weighing up to 20 pounds, experts say nile monitor lizards are aggressive and residents should watch out for them.
"Stand clear. Do not mess with them. I'd treat it like an alligator," said Dean Litte, with the Calusa Nature Center. "They're a lot on the banks. They'll come out and roam neighborhoods," he said.
Nile monitors are typically brown and yellow with long sharp claws and a dangerous tail. They're part of a family of invasive lizards that threaten wildlife and pets in Southwest Florida.
Experts believe more than 1,000 of these reptiles call Cape Coral home.
"They might go after small dogs or cats. Easy prey," Little said.
In 2013, a nile monitor is believed to have attacked and killed a cat in the Cape.
"I kept my cats in the house then but now I don't let my kids go near water because of them," said Stephanie Babb, a Cape Coral resident.
"It's where we live. There's gators, there's everything down here. It's where we moved so we got to live with it,"
If you see one of these lizards in Cape Coral, you can call the city's Environmental Services Department at 239-574-0785 or FWC at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4861).
