Mice Cats Amounting to Appear in South Florida

Gambian giant rat found in Grassy Key, Florida State, United States (U.S.). Mice appeared to be an enemy of the farmers in the region.

Local officials began to worry about the existence of vicious rats weighing 4.5 kilograms in southern Florida. They often become pests and destroy the ecological balance when they move into central Florida.

Until now, South Florida often become dumping grounds for exotic animals from around the world, ranging from Myanmar pythons, boa snakes, lizards Egypt and other animals. Gambian rats are an exotic species that appear on Grassy Key in 1999.

"We think we already remove it in 2009," said Scott Hardin conservation coordinator, told the Daily Mail.

"In early 2011, residents send us an email and said that they saw a rat. We were skeptical when we went to the residents, we were met with mice that we missed," he added.

When four rats were found in 2011, officials to eradicate poaching. In December, conservation officers using poison mixed with peanut butter. However, the giant rat eradication operation was foiled.

Hardin said the Gambian rats can reproduce within a period of five months, they ate the fruit and wheat, but also eat insects, crabs, snails, and fish located in captivity.