Iguanas – Invasive Species in Florida
What Are the Most Invasive Species Living in Florida? Green Iguanas are one of the most invasive species that have claimed Florida as their home.
Green iguanas are not native to Florida and are considered an invasive species due to their impacts to native wildlife. Like all nonnative reptile species, green iguanas are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property with landowner permission.
The canal system in my backyard acts as a highway directly to the neighbors mango tree. Our cover photo for this site was taken on my daily walk. Shooing iguanas into the water has become a game for our family. Yet, ten minutes later the family on the other bank runs them right back to us.
The FWC ruled in 2021 that iguanas would be among 16 of the most destructive non-native species subject to a breeding and dealing ban. Florida’s other invasive species headaches include python problems in the Everglades and an overabundance of Atlantic Ocean Lionfish.
Iguanas – Invasive Species in Florida
Iguanas are an invasive species in Florida and other states in the southeastern United States. They are native to Central and South America and have been introduced to the southeastern United States by pet owners. Iguanas can have a significant negative impact on native wildlife, ecosystems, and human activities. They have been known to consume and damage native vegetation, compete with native species for food and habitat, spread disease, and dig burrows which can cause damage to infrastructure. Additionally, iguanas can be dangerous to humans and pets, as they are capable of delivering a painful bite. For these reasons, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends that iguanas be humanely removed from private property and the public is encouraged to report any sightings of iguanas.
