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Large Gambian Rats (AP)
Posted by Ed and Lois
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Keys, already dealing with invasive exotics from melaleuca to iguanas, have added another to the list of unwanted newcomers: the African Gambian pouch rat.
Biologists and conservationists in the Keys say the rodent needs to be eradicated, before it increases its range and harms native species that live in natural areas of the Keys.
Although it is unclear how or why the rat — which can grow as big as a raccoon — was released on Grassy Key, biologists are saying the animal could be devastating to the Florida Keys’ ecological system.
The omnivores, or animals that eat almost everything, could compete for food with endangered species such as the silver rice rat, carry diseases and eat bird eggs.
And the greater threat is that the pouch rat could make it to Key Largo, threatening the endangered wood rat, biologists say. And, even worse, the rat that can grow up to nine pounds might make it to the Florida Everglades.
“There’s no telling what would happen if they made it to the mainland,” biologist Randy Grau said.
Another problem is that the rats are so big, they may not have any natural predators.
Perry is studying the population of the silver rice rat and the Lower Keys marsh rabbit in the Keys.
Cats, which are predators of the endangered species Perry is studying, don’t mess with the Gambian pouch rat, he said.
Full Post:http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-01-03-fla-rats_x.htm