Red Imported Fire Ant
The Red Imported Fire Ant or Solenopsus Invista was intorduced
by accident in the 1930s at Mobile Alabama by a cargo ship
unloading goods from South America.
These ants are more aggressive than most native ant species and
have a painful sting.
In the US they are now found in all of the sothern states from
Florida to California.
Fire ants cause approximately $750 million dollars damage per
year to agriculture.
In the past 70 years alone, according to a new study, lizards in
parts of the US have grown longer legs to escape the ants bite,
which can kill the lizard in less than a minute.
Many people are severely allergic to the bite of the Fire Ant.
Severe reactions can cause Anaphylactic shock and even death.
When out in the woods in Florida, be safe and keep an eye on
where you step. You may just find these critters chewing on your
leg.
Admission Fee:
$5.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in
vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days
a year.