Gambian pouched rats the size of cats have invaded Florida Keys two years after authorities believed they had wiped them out.
The rats, which are an African species and can weigh up to 4kg, first appeared in the Keys between 1999 and 2001 after a local exotic animal breeder released them into the wild.
Officials fear they will devastate crops if they make it to the mainland.
Wildlife authorities have been setting traps since last year when they first learned the rats had reappeared in the area.
ninemsn
I hate rats