2 1 Lion Fish Tegus and Burmese Pythons

2. 1 Lion Fish, Tegus, and Burmese Pythons, Oh My!

“Should we eradicate invasive species? ” Yes or No?

Vocabulary Eradicate: to destroy completely • Invasive species: intentionally or accidentally introduced to an area; displaces native species, negatively impacts ecology, economy, human health, or way of life • Non-native species: intentionally or accidentally introduced to area; does not disrupt natural ecosystem processes • Native species: a species that normally lives and thrives in a particular ecosystem; endemic (found only within a particular region) or indigenous (found both within the region and elsewhere)

SSI- Socio-scientific Issues Invasive Species Cards Species Common Name /Yes or No /Reasoning

1. What reasons do you have for allowing the eradication of some species and not others? 2. Why is the choice difficult? 3. How do you feel about hunting expeditions for all invasive animal species? Explain your reasoning.

– Tegu Lizards Threatening Florida Wildlife

Tegu Lizards Threatening Florida Wildlife 1. Why do you think that Garner says that the tegu population in South Florida feels sort of like a ticking bomb? 2. Do you agree that euthanizing the caught lizards is “a necessary evil? ”

Tegu Time! C- Claim E- Evidence R- Reasoning

Cuban Tree Frog: Invasive Species Taking over Resident’s Yard

1. What are the characteristics of the Cuban tree frog that allow it to be so successful in the Florida ecosystem? 2. What impact does the Cuban tree frog have on the ecosystem and people of Florida? • Provide at least three examples from the text.

3. What is the purpose of the beginning paragraphs? Reread paragraphs 1 to 4 to find out. 4. How have the populations of tree frogs fluctuated in Florida since the 1920 s? Reread paragraphs 5 to 7 to answer.

5. What do paragraphs 8 to 11 have in common? Reread to find out. 6. What is the purpose of the last paragraphs? Reread paragraphs 12 to 16 to answer.

Invasive Species Websites Visit these websites to find more information. https: //wec. ifas. ufl. edu/ http: //www. savetheglades. org/the-python/ https: //www. reef. org/programs/exotic-and-invasive-speciesprogram https: //oceanservice. noaa. gov/news/weeklynews/june 10/eatlionfi sh. html