Invasive Species in Florida and Alabama

By: Elizabeth Collins

Camphor Tree “cinnamomum camphora”O What? PlantO Where? China and JapanO When? 1875O Characteristics?

O OdorO Toxic to humansO Can sedate animalsO glossy, waxy appearanceO Small white flower

O Impacts on Ecosystem? contain 15-18 toxinsO Prevention and Eradication? controlling trees before

maturation and fruit development is criticalO Introduction? Florida

Hydrilla“hydrilla verticillata”

O What? PlantO Where? IndiaO When? 1950O Characteristics?

O Adapts easily O Aquatic weedO Can survive free-floatingO three whitish or reddish linear petalsO can reproduce itself in four different ways

O Impacts on Ecosystem? Damage to lakes, rivers, and steams

O Prevention and Eradication? Clean boats before you leave the ramp

O Introduction? Florida

Coyote“Canis latrans Say”

O What? MammalO Where? Western portion of North AmericaO When? 1823O Characteristics?

O OmnivoresO Eat anything availability during the seasonO Live 10-18 yearsO Travel in pairs or groupsO Hunt more in the summer period

O Impacts on Ecosystem? Eat larger animals as antelope and deer

O Prevention and Eradication? O Introduction? Georgia

Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat “Artibeus jamaicensis”

O What? MammalO Where? Central and South AmericaO When? 1983O Characteristics?

O light brown or gray in colorO Live 7-10 yearsO Nocturnal animalsO Has a pleasant odorO live primarily in rain forests

O Impacts on Ecosystem? Eats a lot fruit, plants, flowers and berries

O Prevention and Eradication?O Introduction? Georgia

Spectacled Caiman“caiman crocodilus”

O What? ReptileO Where? Central and South AmericaO When? 1960O Characteristics?

O Dull olive colorO Become darker in the winterO Grow to about 6.5 - 8 feetO rarely leave the waterO lives in a range of lowland wetland

O Impacts on Ecosystem? Preys on a variety of vertebrates O Prevention and Eradication? Seasons people hunt them

for moneyO Introduction? Florida