Florida Man Creates Taco Recipe From Frozen Iguanas

A man in Florida is making waves on social media with his taco creations, featuring an unusual ingredient: iguanas.

Gray Davis, known on TikTok as “Raining Iguana,” has taken to sharing videos about this phenomenon. When Florida faces extreme cold, these reptiles go into a sort of hibernation, slowing their metabolism dramatically. They often end up falling from trees, appearing frozen but technically still alive, thawing out as temperatures rise.

Interestingly enough, while iguanas seem harmless, they are classified as an invasive species in South Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has even allowed residents to remove and dispose of these reptiles without needing special permissions during cold spells.

In fact, on certain public lands, iguanas can be taken and humanely killed throughout the year without a permit. However, instead of opting for extermination, Davis decided to make the most of the situation.

“When frigid weather hits, many people will go out to collect these iguanas to manage the population,” he pointed out in one of his videos, which has garnered 3.5 million views. “But they’re delicious, earning the nickname ‘wooden chicken.’ Rather than waste them, I’m going to make some tacos.”

While he showcased the iguanas he intended to use, he didn’t detail the process of gathering and cleaning the animals for the meal. He did reveal a surprising find—20 eggs inside one of the iguanas, which he noted meant that by taking one, he was helping to reduce potential future iguana numbers.

Besides crafting tacos, Davis took additional steps to minimize waste by preserving the iguana skins. He simmered the meat in a pot with onions, garlic, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt, later creating a sauce from boiled iguana eggs mixed with avocado, garlic, olive oil, salt, and lime juice. The final touch involved crisping the meat in a skillet before assembling the tacos.

“Florida mantacos are here!” he quipped. “If you can’t beat them, try eating them.”

Reactions on social media have been mixed. Some were bewildered by the whole process, with one user humorously expressing skepticism about blending iguana eggs. Others commented on the ethics of consuming invasive species, noting that Davis is embodying a more sustainable lifestyle.

“This is ethical meat-eating,” one viewer pointed out amid the varied responses. “Some may find it offensive, but he’s tackling a real environmental issue.” Davis later addressed these points in another video, recognizing the mixed sentiments around iguana tacos. “Rather than let it go to waste, I made tacos,” he argued, claiming these could be the most ethical tacos one could eat.