That’s not an alligator — but it’s slowly invaded Florida, experts say

Florida is well known for its record-holding alligators, but there’s another scaly predator that has quietly expanded into the Florida Everglades, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.In a release, experts with the University of Florida identified the creature as the spectacled caiman, a small invasive crocodile-like reptile that was likely introduce to the state via the exotic pet trade, with established populations being documented since the 1980s.Researchers in Fort Lauderdale said that this is a major problem, as these caimans may complicate the largest wetland project in the history of the country — the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).The CERP is designed to restore and protect the Everglades, with billions of dollars going toward preserving the region’s ecosystem.But in a recent study, experts began examining spectacled caimans to determine what sorts of environmental impacts they may be having.“We now know the specta