Florida now has a capybara problem

[KamaAina]

http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/08/16/florida-now-has-a-capybara-problem

Joining an already robust list of invasive species, capybaras, the world's largest rodents, are now popping up in Florida....

It's believed the semi-aquatic South American mammal was accidentally released in Florida (meaning, someone's pet escaped) sometime in the early 21st century.

The massive rodent prefers to live in tropical forest areas along rivers, lakes and marshes and it's estimated that there are at least 50 currently living in the Florida wilds.

Congdon just really hopes to study these oversized guinea pigs. “They might be able to make a go of it in the United States,” Congdon said to Red Orbit. “We want to keep them from spreading, but can we please not kill them all so I can study them?”

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Ok. That makes sense. I originally read that as chupacabra problem.

Which also, made sense in a very different way.

[Coventina]

8. If any state was going to have a chupacabra problem, it would be FLA!

[LonePirate]

2. Obviously more than one of them escaped. Now the invasive pythons have something new to eat.

[dhill926]

5. just what I was thinking...

[Solly Mack]

3. Awww...but they're so cute!

[aidbo]

4. Well, the birds and other small fauna in Florida will have something to stand on now!

Source:http://animalssittingoncapybaras.tumblr.com/

[Major Nikon]

6. Might not be the best idea

[OriginalGeek]

11. Nature's Uber!

Can't depend on alligators for rides. The price is too high.

[csziggy]

7. Maybe that is why Florida alligators are now climbing trees!

Between the invasive species of big snakes and capybaras, it is no longer safe in the waters of Florida for gators so they are climbing trees for safety.

Alligators can climb trees now
Posted By Colin Wolf on Thu, Jul 7, 2016
A Cape Coral resident is claiming he spotted an alligator sleeping on a tree branch, which, if true, suggests that alligators can climb trees now.

Damn.

“Saw something in a tree, at first I thought maybe it was a lizard,” said Ronald Saracino to WINK News. “The more I looked at it, the more I thought it was actually probably a 5-foot gator.”

<SNIP>

FWC officials have confirmed to the station that the photo is in fact of a gator, based on the position that the animal is resting and the size of the body in relation to the head.
http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/07/07/alligators-can-climb-trees-now

Video which includes a photo of the treed gator at link: http://www.winknews.com/2016/07/06/spotted-in-cape-coral-an-alligator-in-a-tree/

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Ayup ...

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/02/13/beware-in-the-bayou-gators-and-crocs-can-climb/

http://www.wired.com/2014/02/crocodiles-can-climb-trees/

[TexasBushwhacker]

10. Saying it's the largest rodent is a bit understated

Normal weight for adults is 70 to 150 pounds. The largest on record was 200 lbs. Hide your nuts!

[steve2470]

12. oh, just what we need, on top of the Burmese pythons and love bugs etc etc!

[Laffy Kat]

13. They probably taste like chicken.

Really cute, though.