As we know, this phenomenon is now commonplace in Florida, where green iguanas cannot tolerate the cold and enter a state of shock when temperatures drop below 50˚F (10˚C). This is a survival mechanism that causes motor failure in these animals. They are cold-blooded reptiles that do not generate body heat and usually warm themselves in the sun.
Native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, iguanas are considered an invasive species by the authorities. They can damage retaining seawalls, levees, gardens, and farms. Since 2021, it has been illegal in Florida to own, breed, or sell them as pets without a special permit.
When the cold snap was announced on Friday, January 30, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) temporarily authorized the public transport of paralyzed iguanas without a license, to take them to one of five humane euthanasia sites. The FWC announced that it had collected no fewer than 5,195 iguanas. The authorization lasted two days and ended on the evening of Monday, February 2.
Companies specializing in the removal of harmful animals took advantage of this to capture as many as possible, which they process themselves in accordance with state anti-cruelty rules, usually using a captive bolt pistol. IggyTrap collected 800 on Sunday, February 1, and about 500 on Monday, February 2. American Iguana Management captured 300 near Deerfield Beach.
Iguana Control collected more than 800 in a single municipality with numerous parks and about 300 in several residential communities. The boss, Tom Portuallo, told Bill Kearney of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “The numbers are incredible. And those are just the ones we see. Imagine how many we don’t see!”
Indeed, in cold weather, iguanas seek shelter in holes and burrows, posing a danger to the endangered or threatened species that live there
Pierce Kennamer of IggyTrap explains: « We had a few sites where gopher tortoises were present, and you could see from the trails left by their tails that iguanas had taken refuge in their burrows, as well as in those of burrowing owls. This is not something we like to see when invasive iguanas enter the burrowing systems of protected animals. »
What happens to the bodies of these euthanized animals? Iguana Control sends them to one of its sister companies that processes iguana skin and another that turns them into fishing bait.
Even more creative: Bucks Coal Fired, a pizzeria in North Palm Beach, has created the Florida Man Pizza, with iguana meat!
It is important to note that green iguanas are protected by state anti-cruelty laws. In accordance with these laws, citizens can kill them year-round if the reptiles are present on their property.
There are also methods for managing their presence. For more information: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/
