Iguanas – Invasive Species Removal

Serving All Of Florida

green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida:

Impact on native wildlife

Iguanas can outcompete native species for food and shelter, and can displace native gopher tortoises from their burrows. They can also carry parasites and bacteria that can spread to native species.

Damage to landscapes

Iguanas can eat almost any kind of foliage, flowers, or fruit, and can damage commercial and residential landscapes. They can also dig burrows that can disrupt sidewalks, seawalls, and foundations.

Population growth

Iguanas reproduce rapidly in Florida’s subtropical climate and have no natural predators to control their population. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) estimates that the population has grown steadily since the 1960s.

Here are some things you can do about iguanas in Florida:

Humanely kill on private property

You can humanely kill iguanas on private property with landowner permission.

Harvest on public lands

You can harvest iguanas from 25 FWC-managed public lands without a license or permit.

Report sightings

You can report sightings of iguanas at IveGot1.org or through the IveGot1 Smartphone app.

Contact the FWC

You can contact the FWC at 1.888.404.3922 to ask about pet amnesty programs.

Hire a professional

You can hire a professional nuisance wildlife trapper to remove iguanas from your property.

Don’t release iguanas

It’s illegal to release iguanas into the wild in Florida.