The Reality of Nile Crocodiles in Florida

In recent years Florida has seen Nile crocodiles appear in the wild. Research shows that Florida’s subtropical climate and abundant wetlands could support these aggressive predators, potentially posing risks to native species and public safety if they ever were to establish. Find out with me how Nile crocodiles compare to native alligators and crocodiles, and whether they could thrive in the wilds of Florida. Image attributions: Mecistops leptorhynchus 249206905.jpg by Tony King under CC BY 4.0 Paleosuchus palpebrosus 18607447.jpg by Vincent A. Vos under CC BY 4.0 Paleosuchus trigonatus 12981550.jpg by Julien Renoultunder CC BY 4.0 Spectacled caiman in Costa Rica 01.jpg by Bernard Gagnon under CC0 1.0 Crocodylus nile scale.png by Matt Martyniuk (Dinoguy2) under CC BY-SA 3.0 Fruit and Spice Park - Homestead, Florida - DSC08794.jpg by Daderot under CC0 1.0 Florida Köppen.png by Adam Peterson under CC BY-SA 4.0 Sources: Rochford, M. R., Krysko, K. L., Mazzotti, F. J., Shirley, M. W., Parry, M. W., Wasilewski, J. A., ... & Somma, L. A. (2016). Molecular Analysis Confirming the Introduction of Nile Crocodiles, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti 1768 (Crocodylidae), in Southern Florida, with an Assessment of Potential for Establishment, Spread, and Impacts. Willson, J. D. (2017). Indirect effects of invasive Burmese pythons on ecosystems in southern Florida. Journal of Applied Ecology, 54(4), 1251-1258. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodi... https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-have-in... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_cr... 3D Models: "3d High-Poly Alligator" (https://skfb.ly/o7wME) by SDPM Esare is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b.... "American Road" (https://skfb.ly/opWuF) by jimbogies is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b.... "Rowing Boat" (https://skfb.ly/6SZM9) by J.J.West is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b.... "Oil Lamp" (https://skfb.ly/oIrJA) by MatiasMyma is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b....