Cold-stunned iguanas prompt FWC removal order in Florida

Florida's recent cold snap has led to an executive order allowing the removal of cold-stunned green iguanas, a prohibited invasive species, without a permit.

With the unusual cold snap, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is issuing an executive order. It temporarily allows people to remove live, cold-stunned green iguanas from the wild, without a permit and transport them directly to five designated FWC offices.

Seth Brattain from Sleth Reptiles explained that when temperatures drop to around 40 to 45 degrees, iguanas freeze, their muscles tense up and they become immobile.

Brattain advised against individuals attempting to remove these iguanas themselves, despite their stunned state.

"I really don't like the idea of just people going out and doing it because even though they are stunned by the cold, they are still active. They can still scratch you. I caught one two weeks ago on the hand by one, even though it was frozen. And then, you know, if you're going to pack them in your cars, you know, once they warm up just a little bit, they're going to become extremely agitated," he said.

Green iguanas are a prohibited, invasive species in Florida, causing damage to infrastructure, native habitats, and the state's economy. However, they are not the only species found on the Gulf Coast.

"There's actually spiny-tailed iguanas here. They're more toward, like, Port Charlotte area, Punta Gorda. But, they eat a lot of the native flowers, plants, that all the other native species would eat. But they also eat bird eggs. And I've actually found the spiny-tailed iguanas living in gopher tortoise holes and eating gopher tortoise eggs," Brattain said.

Brattain emphasized the importance of professional removal, stating, "Yes, 100%. I mean, you can call us. You can call anybody that's professional doing wildlife removal. I highly recommend not doing it yourself. Because they do carry Salmonella. You know, if they scratch their tail, even if their tail whips you and cuts you, you can get it that way, too. They bite, they scratch, they whip their tail."

Possessing a live green iguana, even temporarily, requires a permit. FWC said this executive order provides a safe and humane option for people who are unable to remove or kill iguanas themselves. The drop-off window is Sunday, from 9 a.m. to noon, and Monday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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