The Croc Docs

Eric Suarez

Position and Affiliation

Invasive Species Research Program Coordinator, UF - Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Areas of Interest

Invasion Ecology, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Tropical Ecology, Conservation Biology, and Education and Outreach.

Education

M.Sc. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 2015
B.Sc. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 2010

Project Involvement

Eric Suarez helps manage invasive species research projects and staff for the UF Croc Docs laboratory. He is involved with understanding the biology, ecology, habitat use, and behavior of invasive species in Florida, specifically priority invasive species including Burmese pythons, Argentine black and white tegus, Nile monitors, iguanas, and spectacled caimans. Eric works with federal, state, and local government agencies; as well as tribal and non-governmental entities to understand how invasive species are impacting Florida’s native wildlife and habitat.

Publications

Thomas, T.M., K.M. Enge, E. Suarez, P. Schueller, B. Bankovich, E. Leone. 2023. Home Range and Habitat Selection of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) in the Suwannee River, Florida. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 22(2):146–155.

Hutchinson, B., K. Gestring, S. Stanley, and E. Suarez. 2023. Natural history: Amphiuma means (Two-toed Amphiuma), Predation. Herpetological Review 54(3): 417-418.

Thomas, T.M, E. Suarez, K.M. Enge, S.C. Barry, and G.R. Johnston. 2023. Variation in Relative Abundance and Body Size of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) in the Suwannee River. Southeastern Naturalist 22(Special Issue 12):264-274.

Johnston, G.R., J.S. Geiger, T.M. Thomas, K.M. Enge, E. Suarez, and B. Davis. 2023. Maximum body size of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis). Southeastern Naturalist 22(Special Issue. 12):418–428.

Udell, B., J. Martin, H. Waddle, F Johnson, B. Falk, A. Yackel Adams, S. Funck, J. Ketterlin, E. Suarez, F. Mazzotti, and C. Romagosa. 2022. Open Removal Models with Temporary Emigration and Population Dynamics to Inform Invasive Animal Management. Ecology and Evolution, 12(8), e9173. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9173.

Thomas, T.M., K.M. Enge, E. Suarez, and G.R. Johnston. 2021. Population Status of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) in the Suwannee River, Florida. Chelonian Conservation and Biology: Celebrating 25 Years as the World's Turtle and Tortoise Journal, 21(1), pp. 2-10.

Suarez, E, T.M. Thomas, W.M. Turner, R.L. Gandy, K.M. Enge, and S.A. Johnson. 2021. Population Size and Structure of the Ornate Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota) on Small Gulf Coast Islands in Florida. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 20:184–199.

Sheehy, C., D. Blackburn, M. Kouete, K. Gestring, K. Laurie, A. Prechtel, E. Suarez, and B. Talley. 2021. First record of a caecilian (order Gymnophiona, Typhlonectes natans) in Florida and in the United States. Reptiles & Amp; Amphibians, 28(2), 355–357. https://doi.org/10.17161/randa.v28i2.15629.

Mazzotti, F.J., J.H. Nestler, J.M. Cole, C. Closius, W.H. Kern, M.R. Rochford, E. Suarez, R. Brubaker, S.G. Platt, T. Rainwater, and J.K. Ketterlin. 2020. Diet of Nile Monitors (Varanus niloticus) Removed from Palm Beach and Broward Counties, Florida, USA. Journal of Herpetology, 54(2), pp.189-195.

Suarez, E. 2019. Malaclemys terrapin (Shoepff 1793) Diamond-backed Terrapin (Diamondback Terrapin). Pp. 257–260 in K.L. Krysko, K.M. Enge, and P.E. Moler (Eds.), Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. University Press of Florida, USA.

Suarez, E. and Mays, J.D. 2019. Kinosternon baurii (Garman 1891) Striped Mud Turtle. Pp. 277–279 in K.L. Krysko, K.M. Enge, and P.E. Moler (Eds.), Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. University Press of Florida, USA.

Suarez, E. and Mays, J.D. 2019. Sternotherus minor minor (Agassiz 1857) Eastern Loggerhead Musk Turtle (Loggerhead Musk Turtle). Pp. 284–287 in K.L. Krysko, K.M. Enge, and P.E. Moler (Eds.), Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. University Press of Florida, USA.

Johnston, G.R., J.C. Mitchell, E. Suarez, T. Morris, G.A. Shemitz, P.L. Butt, and R.L. Knight. 2016. The Santa Fe River in northern Florida: effect of habitat heterogeneity on turtle populations. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 54: 69-103.

Johnston, G.R., J.C. Mitchell, and E. Suarez. 2015. Chelonochory in a northern Florida river. Florida Scientist 78: 5762.

Johnston, G.R., T.M. Thomas, E. Suarez, A. Lau, and J.C. Mitchell. 2015. Population Structure and Body Sizes of the Suwannee alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) in Northern Florida. Chelonian Conservation Biology 14(1): 73-81.

Thomas, T.M., M.C. Granatosky, J.R. Bourque, K.L. Krysko, P.E. Moler, T. Gamble, E. Suarez, E. Leone, and J. Roman. 2014. Taxonomic assessment of alligator snapping turtles (Chelydridae: Macrochelys<,em>), with the description of two new species from the southeastern United States. Zootaxa 3786 (2): 141-165.

Alfonso, Y.U., G. Fajardo, E. Suarez, and K.L. Krysko. 2012. Sexual Size Dimorphism, Ovipositioning, and Hatching in Leiocephalus macropus asbolomus (Squamata: Leiocephalidae) in Alexander Von Humboldt National Park in Eastern Cuba. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians 19(4): 230-236.

Johnston, G.R., E. Suarez, J.C. Mitchell, G. Shemitz, P. Butt, and M. Kaunert. 2012. Population Ecology of the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in a northern Florida river. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 51(4): 243-256.

Johnston, G. R., and E. Suarez. 2012. Natural History: Chelydra serpentina (Snapping turtle), Diet. Herpetological Review 43(2): 326.

Suarez, E., M.H. Kail, and G.R. Johnston. 2011. Natural history: Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis (Suwannee Cooter), Predation. Herpetological Review 42(3): 423.

Suarez E., and G.R. Johnston. 2011. Geographic Distribution: Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii (Mississippi Map Turtle). Herpetological Review 42(3): 389.

Kail, M.H., G.R. Johnston, E. Suarez, and J.C. Mitchell. 2011. Geographic Distribution: Chrysemys dorsalis (Southern Painted Turtle). Herpetological Review 42(3): 387.

Krysko, K.L., K.E. Giddens, K.H. Gielow, T.S. Lowke, W.M. Moore, E. Suarez, C.D. Thomas, and S.A. Johnson. 2010. Geographic Distribution: Leiocephalus carinatus (Northern Curly-tailed Lizard). Herpetological Review 41(3): 378.

Krysko, K.L., K.E. Giddens, K.H. Gielow, T. S. Lowke, W.M. Moore, E. Suarez, C.D. Thomas, and S.A. Johnson. 2010. Geographic Distribution: Ramphotyphlops braminus (Brahminy Blindsnake). Herpetological Review 41(3): 382.

Krysko, K.L., S.A. Johnson, K.E. Giddens, K.H. Gielow, T.S. Lowke, W.M. Moore, E. Suarez, C.D. Thomas, A.S. Shoeslon, J.P. Burgess, C.A. Smith, and B.A. Garner. 2010. The African Five-lined Skink, Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein 1823), a new established species in Florida. IRCF Amphibians and Reptiles 17: 57-58.

Kail, M.H., D.T. Garrenton, E. Suarez, G.R. Johnston, and J.C. Mitchell. 2010. Geographic Distribution: Trachemys venusta (Mesoamerican Slider). Herpetological Review 41 (2): 243.