Iguana Tacos Made from Cold-Stunned Reptiles Go Viral

A content creator from Florida became an internet sensation after he shared a video of himself making tacos out of iguanas that fell victim to recent cold temperatures in the state.

Gray Davis, 23, from Fort Lauderdale, captured the process of catching and cooking an iguana, which was incapacitated by the chilling weather. He noted, “Every time we have a cold front, these iguanas start falling down. Many people will collect them to help control their population.”

Davis, humorously referred to as “wooden chicken” due to the flavor of the meat, explained, “Instead of letting it go to waste, I’m making tacos.” His video garnered over 20 million views and more than 8,000 comments, in which he showcased how to prepare iguana meat.

In his cooking method, Davis seasoned the iguana meat with onions, garlic, salt, and bay leaves in a cast-iron pot, simmering it over low heat for about half an hour.

As he continued, Davis expressed satisfaction at finding over 20 eggs inside the iguana, which he saw as a beneficial removal for the environment. “By taking out this one iguana, we’ve potentially prevented over 20 eggs from hatching in spring. Plus, I try to avoid waste,” he added, expressing his intent to use the skins as well.

He even used the iguana eggs to create a dipping sauce for the tacos, combining them with avocado, garlic, olive oil, salt, and lime juice for a zesty green blend.

Afterward, Davi seasoned and crisped the meat in a frying pan before assembling the tacos with pickled red onions, jalapeños, and cilantro, finishing it off with the special dipping sauce.

Social media reactions varied widely, with some viewers lauding his innovative approach, while others raised eyebrows about the inclusion of eggs in the meal. One comment highlighted the juxtaposition, saying, “It’s kind of odd to have mothers and babies together on one plate.” Some were left questioning, “Why is it acceptable to eat the meat but not the eggs?” A few even felt inspired, saying, “I’m about to go out and harvest some protein.”

Florida law permits residents to humanely remove non-native iguanas due to their detrimental impact on local ecosystems. Davis noted that his cooking content often focuses on local foods, sustainability, and the great outdoors.

At the end of his video, Davis took a bite of his creation, proudly referring to it as the “Florida Mantaco.” “If you can’t win, eat,” he concluded, highlighting the uniqueness of his culinary experiment.