RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY AT CAMBIER PARK. LET’S LOOK AT THIS. THIS IS NOT JURASSIC PARK. THIS IS PINE ISLAND ROAD. MASSIVE INVASIVE NILE MONITORS ARE BEING SPOTTED IN CAPE CORAL NEIGHBORHOODS. >> AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE SAY THE SIGHTINGS ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON. THEY CAN GROW UP TO 6 FEET LONG. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER KYLE SCHMIDT IS DIGGING INTO THIS LATEST INVASION. >> THIS CANAL IN SOUTHWEST CAPE CORAL IS ONE OF THE HOT SPOTS FOR THIS INVASIVE NILE MONITOR SPECIES. NOW IT’S BEEN ALMOST 5 YEARS SINCE THE FWC STOPPED ALLOWING PEOPLE TO HAVE THEM AS PETS. IT’S ART ALLOWING ALL PEOPLE TO HUNT PEOPLE ARE STILL FINDING THEM IN THE CAPE. >> THERE ARE A LOT OF NILE MONITORS, ESPECIALLY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, VERY INVASIVE. MY FRIENDS HAVE HAD SEVERAL HOLES DUG ALL AROUND THEIR PROPERTY KILLED PLANT SINCE THEY’RE ANNOYING MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. NEIGHBORS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD OFF OF CHIQUITA HAVE SEEN NILE MONITORS UP TO 6 FEET LONG IN THEIR BACKYARDS. SCARY UP CLOSE AND EVEN INSIDE THEIR HOUSES I I I SEE THIS HUGE MONSTER RUNNING IN MY HOUSE STRAIGHT TO THE BACK DOOR. THE NAILS ARE CRACKING ON THE FLOOR. I’M SCREAMING MY HEAD OFF. THE INVASIVE NILE MONITORS ARE ALL OVER CAPE CORAL, BUT DUE TO THEIR SECRETS AND TIMID NATURE, SOME RESIDENTS DON’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THEM. THINK. >> PART OF OUR ASPECTS OF THE URBANIZATION OF IS WHAT HAS HELPED THEM. BUT THE OTHER PARTS OF URBANIZATION LIKE ACTUALLY BUILDING HOUSES. WHAT’S LIMITING HOLLY MOLA RESEARCH TO NILE MONITORS IN CAPE CORAL FOR 2 YEARS. HE SAYS VERY THREAT TO THE ECOSYSTEM EATING OTHER ANIMALS AND THEIR EGGS. THEY’RE ALSO KNOWN, TOOK BUREAU AND CAN DESTROY YOUR PROPERTY. IT’S A TERRIBLE THING TO HAVE AROUND HERE. AND I REALLY THINK. >> THAT’S WHAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON. THE NOT SO MUCH THE AQUINAS. ALI BOLA MENTIONED TO ME THAT THE SPECIES IS UNDERSTUDIED. SO IT’S HARD TO STATE THEIR OVERALL IMPACT AT THIS TIME. >> IF YOU SEE ONE, YOU CAN CONTACT TH
Nile monitors continue to invade Cape Coral neighborhoods
Updated: 6:30 PM EST Feb 20, 2026
Nile monitors, invasive lizards from Sub-Saharan Africa, have been known to be in the canals in Cape Coral. Jack Schwartz, a resident of Cape Coral, said, “There are a lot of invasive monitors, especially in our neighborhood.”Alane Passero, another resident, shared her experience, saying, “They’re very invasive. My friends have had several holes dug all around their property, killed plants, and they’re annoying more than anything else.”Neighbors have reported seeing Nile monitors up to six feet long in their backyards and even inside their homes.Passero recounted a startling encounter, saying, “Corner of my eye, I see this huge monster running in my house straight to the back door. The nails are clacking on the floor. I’m screaming my head off.”These invasive species are one of the high-priority nonnative species for removal according to the FWC. In April 2021, they were added to Florida’s prohibited species list.Despite their presence, some residents remain unaware of the Nile monitors due to their secretive and timid nature.Ali Mulla, a research assistant and spatial ecologist at Archbold Biological Station, said, “I think part of our aspects of the urbanization is what has helped them, but then other parts of urbanization, like actually building houses, is what’s limiting them.”Mulla, who has researched Nile monitors in Cape Coral for two years, noted that they pose a threat to the ecosystem by eating other animals and their eggs. They are also known to burrow, which can damage property. Schwartz emphasized the need to focus on the Nile monitors, saying, “It’s a terrible thing to have around here. And I really think that’s what we should be focusing on, and not so much the iguanas.”Mulla mentioned that the species is understudied, making it difficult to assess its overall impact. Residents who spot a Nile monitor are encouraged to contact the city of Cape Coral Resources Division.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Nile monitors, invasive lizards from Sub-Saharan Africa, have been known to be in the canals in Cape Coral.
Jack Schwartz, a resident of Cape Coral, said, “There are a lot of invasive monitors, especially in our neighborhood.”
Alane Passero, another resident, shared her experience, saying, “They’re very invasive. My friends have had several holes dug all around their property, killed plants, and they’re annoying more than anything else.”
Neighbors have reported seeing Nile monitors up to six feet long in their backyards and even inside their homes.
Passero recounted a startling encounter, saying, “Corner of my eye, I see this huge monster running in my house straight to the back door. The nails are clacking on the floor. I’m screaming my head off.”
These invasive species are one of the high-priority nonnative species for removal according to the FWC. In April 2021, they were added to Florida’s prohibited species list.
Despite their presence, some residents remain unaware of the Nile monitors due to their secretive and timid nature.
Ali Mulla, a research assistant and spatial ecologist at Archbold Biological Station, said, “I think part of our aspects of the urbanization is what has helped them, but then other parts of urbanization, like actually building houses, is what’s limiting them.”
Mulla, who has researched Nile monitors in Cape Coral for two years, noted that they pose a threat to the ecosystem by eating other animals and their eggs. They are also known to burrow, which can damage property.
Schwartz emphasized the need to focus on the Nile monitors, saying, “It’s a terrible thing to have around here. And I really think that’s what we should be focusing on, and not so much the iguanas.”
Mulla mentioned that the species is understudied, making it difficult to assess its overall impact. Residents who spot a Nile monitor are encouraged to contact the city of Cape Coral Resources Division.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.