Florida Removes Over 5,000 Cold-Stunned Iguanas During Freezing Temps
During a recent cold snap in Florida, a staggering 5,195 exotic green iguanas were removed, thanks to a temporary waiver that permitted the capture of reptiles affected by low temperatures without a permit.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shared the data this week, explaining that extreme cold can leave iguanas unable to control their muscles, making them appear frozen or even causing them to fall from trees.
On February 1, the temperature in Miami dipped to a record low of 35 degrees, while West Palm Beach fell to 30 degrees, breaking a record set back in 1909, as reported by the National Weather Service.
The removal exemption was in effect for just two days—February 1st and 2nd.
A YouTuber known as “Iguana Man” even shared a nearly 30-minute video showcasing the captured reptiles.
At a recent committee meeting, FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed the implications of this exemption:
The regulations allowed residents to remove cold-stunned green iguanas from their properties during the cold weather and bring them to the FWC without needing a permit. As an invasive species, green iguanas can harm Florida’s ecosystem and economy. We managed to collect over 5,000 of these lizards in a very short time, thanks to the excellent collaboration of many FWC staff and local residents who helped gather the iguanas.
Out of the 5,195 iguanas captured, 3,882 were taken to the FWC’s return site in Sunrise, near Fort Lauderdale. Others came from locations like Tequesta, Fort Myers, and one of the Florida Keys.
The FWC coordinated the transportation of these iguanas to state-permitted handlers, with some going to out-of-state sales, while others were humanely euthanized by trained personnel.
Originally native to Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, iguanas are not part of Florida’s natural ecosystem; they first appeared in the state during the 1960s due to the exotic pet trade.
Because these iguanas are classified as an exotic species, they can be humanely killed on private property, aside from the protections offered by anti-cruelty laws in the state, as reported.
The FWC has cautioned residents against bringing cold-stunned iguanas indoors, advising that if you find one, it’s best not to offer warmth. They can recover from cold exposure more quickly than one might think, and when they do, they may lash out defensively with their tails and claws.
