Big Iguanas roaming around here in Florida

[Dave Hess]

I saw this big iguana munching on some grass as I was leaving a restaurant.

In some areas of Florida people buy iguanas as pets then let them loose once they grow too big and they become a nuisance crapping all over the place and swimming in people’s pools.

 

[spk2000]

target practice with pellet rifle then food for yourself or pets

 

[Quattro Pete]

When I used to live near Ft. Lauderdale some 15 years ago, there were plenty of them in nearby parks and ponds.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

We don't get them up here in Northern Florida. I'm not complaining.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Yep, Green Iguanas are natural up to northern Mexico but are an invasive species in Florida.

 

[wpod]

Taste like Chicken?

 

[rob1715]

I have yet to see one. That, and an alligator in a pool are on my list.

 

[wemay]

Taste like Chicken?

Tastes better than chicken. I've eaten it in Panama. The meat is like chicken breast and sweet.

 

[bluesmokertdi]

Tastes better than chicken. I've eaten it in Panama. The meat is like chicken breast and sweet.

 

[loneryder]

I’ve seen that guy on Boca Grande. He gets paid to kill them. They destroy bird nests. There were very few birds on the island. Residents call him when they see one.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

"Here leezard, leezard......."

 

[dlundblad]

Hopefully there’s no nuclear testing in your area. Oh 2020. Lol.

We went on a cruise last February and saw a few on their island. Probably a natural insect control. I was able to get close to a few before they ran into the bushes. Biggest thing we get here is salamanders. Lol

 

[JHZR2]

Very common in the Virgin Islands. Leave them alone and they’ll leave you alone.

 

[DriveHard]

"Here leezard, leezard......."

 

[henni]

Yes, they eat fruiting tree flowers, for example passion fruit, also the fruit itself. They also eat vegetable leafs, stripping spinach, potato, arugala and much more. We trap and kill them (noose trap and small animal cage traps) but as mentioned previously, many people around here eat them.

 

[ripcord]

I'm not usually squeamish, but the thought of eating lizard is not very appealing to me. People talk about eating the pythons, too, but I hear they are very high in mercury.

 

[SeaJay]

In which areas of Florida are they prevalent?

 

[bluesmokertdi]

I'm not usually squeamish, but the thought of eating lizard is not very appealing to me. People talk about eating the pythons, too, but I hear they are very high in mercury.

ok but think about it this way, iggies are the "other" other white meat

 

[BeerCan]

In which areas of Florida are they prevalent?

Mostly south florida. South of Tampa.
I see loads of them in ft Lauderdale and miami

 

[JPRanger]

Had a huge one in my carport about 15 years ago. This was 10 miles east of Tampa kinda in the the suburbs. Put it in back to figure out what to do with it and it took off in brush. About 5 foot long.