Cape Coral is home to two species of large, invasive lizards: the Nile Monitor and the Iguana.  While iguanas are found all over Florida, Nile Monitors are unique to this area.  They were introduced before 1990, and the population in Cape Coral is believed to be in the thousands.  They are also believed to have established a breeding population on Pine Island.Nile Monitors are carnivores, and they are extremely good predators.  They’ll eat anything - fish, turtles, mollusks, birds, mammals, and eggs.  They live in burrows in the ground, generally near canals.  They are excellent swimmers—able to hold their breath for up to an hour—and can run up to 18 mph on land.  Nile Monitors can grow to 7 feet long, so the potential harm to wildlife in the area - including burrowing owls - is great.Because of that threat, ERD conducts a trapping program. 

If you see a Nile Monitor near your property, please call us at 574-0785, and we will attempt to trap it.  We do not trap iguanas - they are herbivores, and although they can get big, they’re really nothing to worry about. Is it a Nile Monitor or an Iguana?Here’s what to look for to tell the difference:Color—Iguanas tend to be green to brown, sometimes with orange legs.  They have big black bands on their tail.  Monitors are black with yellow spots.
Shape—Iguanas are thicker than monitors; monitors are more snake-like and have a narrower head.
Spines—Iguanas have a row of spikes down their back.  Monitors do not.

Nile Monitor:

Iguana:

For more information on Nile Monitors and the trapping effort in the area:USGS Nile Monitor page
Monitor on Sanibel
Article on Todd Campbell’s trapping program