In this video we will talk about the green iguana in Florida; how the iguana has gone
from beloved pet to invasive species and an irritating pest to most authorities, as a
result of damage done by the animal to infrastructure, environment and ecosystem, and why the Floridian
state government has subsequently placed this animal on the Prohibited Species List with
all that it entails.
In this video, we will also provide tips from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (also known as the FWC) on how to protect your homes and yards from green
iguanas.
So why is the green iguana that was previously loved now considered an invasive species and
a pest by the authorities in Florida?
The green iguana was brought into Florida primarily as a pet and has subsequently been
released into the environment (more about this later).
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the damage done by
the animal’s burrowing activity is substantial.
Iguanas dig shallow burrows for protection and for females to lay eggs.
These burrows can cause the collapse of infrastructure such as sidewalks, foundations, seawalls,
and canal banks.
For, example, the city of West Palm Beach has blamed the green iguana’s burrowing
activities in the vicinity of a dam for $1.8 million of repairs.
Green iguanas do damage by eating residential and commercial landscape vegetation and ornamental
plants as they are attracted to trees with foliage or flowers, and most fruits; with
citrus being a notable exception.
Aside from damage to infrastructure, landscape vegetation and ornamental plants, green iguanas
also negatively impact the ecosystem in Florida in several ways.
It poses a significant threat to the endangered Miami blue butterfly by consuming the nicker
bean, which is the host plant of the butterfly.
There are only 3 locations where the Miami Blue has been seen in the last 20 years.
In one of the locations, Bahia Honda State Park, the green iguana consumed such high
quantities of the nicker bean that scientists have credited the consumption of this plant
as one of the reasons for the loss of the Miami Blue butterfly in that location.
Green iguanas have been reported to use the burrows of the burrowing owl and the gopher
tortoise which could lead to displacement of these species from their dwellings.
Both burrowing owl and gopher tortoise are threatened species.
While a primarily herbivorous, it was reported that remains of tree snails were found in
the stomachs of these lizards in some state parks which would imply a threat to native
and endangered tree snails (link in the description below).
Green iguanas can also be hazardous to humans.
They can transmit the disease Salmonella to us, humans when we make contact with water
or surfaces contaminated with their feces such as swimming pools, moored boats, docks,
and seawalls.
Green iguanas can be hazardous when they dash into roads leading to several documented cases
of accidents.
In a notable case a cyclist was injured and required stitches while the iguana was killed.
Also, these lizards known to cause delays and interruptions to air travel as they bask
on runways of the Miami International Airport.
Also, it can potentially cause harm to humans during cold snaps as these animals can become
lethargic, stiffen and fall from trees when temperatures drop to 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit.
An alert was issued as recently as January 2020 to residents of Miami to watch out for
falling green iguanas and to avoid approaching grounded iguanas as they could react unpredictably
out of fear (link in the description below).
For all these reasons, the green iguana has been added to the “Prohibited Species List”
by the state of Florida.
The green iguana is native to the region extending from tropical south America (Paraguay and
Brazil) to central America in the vicinity of Mexico.
It was brought into Florida because of the pet trade, given that it is one of the most
sought-after reptilian pets.
Its value as a pet is due to its appearance and exotic coloration, and because it is easy
to maintain when young.
As the name implies this lizard is typically green in color with juveniles being bright
green.
Sometimes they can be brownish, in some cases almost black.
Pink or orange coloration is not uncommon during certain times of the year.
While males can grow past 5 ft and weigh up to 17 pounds, females can on occasion reach
5 ft but rarely exceed 17 pounds in weight.
When fully grown these lizards can be burdensome to maintain due to their size as cage requirements
become demanding.
Hence, over time pet owners have released them into environment.
There is also a documented case of a pet dealer deliberately releasing over 300 green iguanas
in Miami 1964 (link in the description below).
As of date, the green iguana has established breeding populations in the bottom half of
the Floridian peninsula preferring proximity to water or coastal regions as can be seen
in the Figure.
Being placed in the Prohibited Species List has consequences to both pet owners, pet dealers
and potential pet owners in Florida.
Individuals who do not currently own a green iguana can no longer buy one.
Those who do own animals are required to register their animals by applying for a permit and
ensure that enclosures of these animals meet governmental standards.
Current pet owners are also required to identify the animals with the use of passive integrated
transponder (PIT) tags.
Researchers and educational exhibitors are allowed to continue to possess these animals
under a special permit.
Commercial breeding of green iguanas is set to end on June 30th, 2024, in Florida.
Current Pet owners who can no longer care for these animals are encouraged to surrender
their pets to Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
We have talked extensively about this program as it relates to the Burmese python.
In essence, in order to prevent the release of prohibited exotic species, the state of
Florida has made arrangements for these exotic pets to be cared for through the Exotic Pet
Amnesty Program.
Individuals owning these pets can give them up to the program at anytime without cost.
This is thought to be a suitable alternative to the illegal release of non-native species
into the Floridian wild.
So how can one protect his/her property from green iguanas?
The FWC has provided some important tips regarding modification of surroundings by doing the
following: removing plants that act as attractants; filling in holes to discourage burrowing;
hanging wind chimes or other items that make intermittent noises, hanging CDs that have
reflective surfaces and finally spraying the animals with water as a deterrent.
While this video has focused on green iguana as an invasive species in Florida it is important
to know that this lizard is also invasive in Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the US Virgin Islands.
In Puerto Rico, the green iguana has caused substantial disruption to air travel in the
island’s busiest airport.
Removing the iguana’s nests and burrows from the vicinity of the airport has added
to the cost of airport maintenance.
In Hawaii, it is illegal to import, possess, or transport green iguanas.
Penalties for violating laws regulating the green iguana are very stiff, ranging from
fines as high as $200,000, and imprisonment that could last 3 years.
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