The Croc Docs

Eric Suarez

Position and Affiliation

Invasive Species Research Program Manager, 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.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 2015
B.S. 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, 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.