The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is an effective indicator for restoration of more natural patterns of water levels and flows through the Everglades. The Florida Everglades is a highly modified system, so monitoring health of alligators can inform how different areas of this large ecosystem are doing. Based on an increase in reports of very skinny alligators, biologists and natural resource managers are seeking help from the public to better understand where and when this problem occurs. This fact sheet serves as a guide for citizen scientists on how to score alligator body condition and report sightings of very skinny or unhealthy alligators.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw460

The Argentine black and white tegu is one of the largest lizard species in the Western Hemisphere, growing up to four feet long. The tegu’s broad habitat use and omnivorous diet create the potential for severe ecological impacts in areas outside its native habitat. This publication presents updated information about efforts to understand and manage the problem of invasive tegus in the state of Florida. It presents the implications of continued expansion of their range.

Invasive nonnative wildlife threaten successful restoration of Everglades ecosystems in south Florida. If nothing is done while an invasion is in the beginning stages, populations can grow and become much more difficult to manage, as happened with the Burmese pythons. This 4-page fact sheet written by Justin R. Dalaba and Frank J. Mazzotti and published by the UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department explains how the Early Detection and Rapid Response method works and how to apply it to increase the likelihood that an invasion will be successfully contained or eradicated while an invasive population is still small and localized. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw454

This is a trifold brochure based on the fact sheet by the same title, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw460 The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is an effective indicator for restoration of more natural patterns of water levels and flows through the Everglades. The Florida Everglades is a highly modified system, so monitoring health of alligators can inform how different areas of this large ecosystem are doing. Based on an increase in reports of very skinny alligators, biologists and natural resource managers are seeking help from the public to better understand where and when this problem occurs. This brochure serves as a guide for citizen scientists on how to score alligator body condition and report sightings of very skinny or unhealthy alligators.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw461

Belize is home to over 605 bird species, many of them wading birds popular with bird watchers who enjoy their bright colors and charismatic behavior. Bird-watching is a major contributor to successful wildlife conservation and is important as native habitat loses ground to development. This 4-page fact sheet written by Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, Jorge E. Ruano, Justin R. Dalaba and Frank J. Mazzotti and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation presents photos and descriptions that will help identify some common and some rare wading birds.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw469 Trifold brochure: WEC425/UW470, 4/2020 https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw470