ahunziker / Flickr
The monkeys initially arrived in Florida by a tour operator in the 1930s. Now, their rapid spread worries local authorities due to the impact on the ecosystem.
A recent viral video on Instagram shows a boat ride through Silver Springs, Florida, being suddenly interrupted by what appears to be a “rain” of monkeys.
While it may seem like a montage or made by AI, the video is real and serves as a reminder of Florida’s complicated relationship with non-native wildlife.
The story behind the show dates back to the 1930s, when a local entrepreneur named Colonel Tooey organized “jungle cruise” tours in Silver Springs. Eager to make the attraction more authentic, Tooey released a dozen rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on a small island in the region. The species, native to South and East Asia, quickly adapted to the new environment and, over the decades, its population grew far beyond what was expected.
In the 1980s, Florida wildlife officials became alarmed by the rapid spread of monkeys and its potential ecological impact. Between 1984 and 2012, around 1000 monkeys were captured and removed in an attempt to control the population. Still, the resilient primates persisted. A 2015 estimate counted approximately 176 individuals living in five social groups, warning that, without continuous management, the population could double in a few years.
The success of the monkeys in Florida highlights their remarkable adaptability. They thrive in both urban and wild environments, often living near humans without fear. But their presence raises environmental and health concerns, including competition with native species and the risk of disease transmission, says the .
And these monkeys are not alone in their unexpected fame in Florida. The state’s subtropical climate has made it a haven for all types of invasive animals, from green iguanas to vervet monkeys.
In fact, local inhabitants are even preparing for an annual phenomenon known as “iguana crash”, when cold waves temporarily paralyze these cold-blooded reptiles, causing them to fall from trees. Despite appearing lifeless, many simply revive as soon as they warm up — often to the surprise of those trying to “rescue” them.
Whether it’s monkeys raining down from treetops or iguanas falling from branches, Florida’s wildlife continues to blur the line between the natural and the bizarre. For residents, it might be time to add one more item to the list of seasonal precautions: an umbrella that’s resistant to frozen monkeys and iguanas.
