The Florida Reptile Situation Is Worse Than People Realise

Florida’s invasive reptile problem is out of control. As a zoologist, I react to and break down the real ecological impact of invasive reptiles now established across Florida — including Burmese pythons, Nile monitors, Iguanas, Tegus, spectacled caimans, tokay geckos, veiled chameleons, curly-tailed lizards, and agamas.

Florida has become a global hotspot for invasive reptiles due to escaped and released exotic pets, a suitable climate, and limited natural controls. In this video, I explain which invasive reptiles pose the greatest ecological risk, which species are often misunderstood, and why managing invasive species is far more complex than social media makes it seem.

We’ll look at how Burmese pythons impact native mammals, whether Nile monitors and spectacled caimans represent a serious long-term threat, and how smaller species like curly-tailed lizards, agamas, tokay geckos, and veiled chameleons affect local ecosystems. I also address common myths, misinformation, and viral claims surrounding Florida’s invasive reptile crisis — separating fear-based narratives from ecological reality.

This is not fear-mongering or clickbait — it’s a science-based breakdown of Florida’s invasive reptile problem from a zoologist’s perspective.

Do you think Florida’s invasive reptile issue is exaggerated, underestimated, or misunderstood? Share your thoughts in the comments.

00:01 Pythons and Indigo Snakes
02:13 Black and White Tegu
03:05 Brahminy Blind Snake
04:09 Iguanas
05:21 Spectacled caimans in Florida
06:32 Cuban Treefrog
08:29 Cuban Knight Anole
09:16 Curly Tail Lizard
09:57 Veiled Chameleon
10:37 Red Eared Slider
11:37 Peter's Rock Agama
12:29 Tokay Gecko
13:38 How will we ever solve the problem?

#InvasiveSpecies #FloridaWildlife #Reptiles #ZoologistReacts #BurmesePython