If you live in South Florida and feel like tiny dinosaurs are watching you, it's not just your imagination. Green iguanas have taken over communities from Boca Raton to Coral Gables. People have spotted them on rooftops, relaxing in driveways, and, in one unfortunate case, even swimming in a toilet.
A Delray Beach resident witnesses the abundance of this species in his area. "They're everywhere. You open your front door and five of them scatter like they own the place."
The truth is that even though there are many of them circulating in Florida, the dilemma goes further since their surprising size draws the attention of residents who witness the size of some of them, for example, the males measure 1.5 meters (5 feet) and the long tails look like potential garden hoses.
They're not entirely quiet, either. Owners have commented on hearing what sounds like footsteps on the roofs, only to discover an iguana basking in the sun on the tiles, as if it had a lease.
Iguanas are not only unattractive, but also harmful. Their underground shelters can destabilize sidewalks, cause erosion of levees, and even endanger the structure of homes. A couple in Palm Beach spent more than $10.000 to repair their pool surround after it was deformed by an iguana nest.
Let's discuss the waste. Iguana feces are not only disgusting, but they're also sticky, have an unpleasant odor, and can carry salmonella. A park in Boca Raton was briefly closed because the paths were so littered with these feces that they resembled a natural hazard: banana peels.
A Coconut Creek man has one of the most bizarre anecdotes. He recounts a time he went to his bathroom and noticed one of these reptiles in the toilet. "I screamed, closed the lid, and called animal control. Now I check it every time," the resident said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) considers iguanas an unprotected invasive species, and residents are allowed to euthanize them as humanely as possible without a permit while they are on their property.
Some people turn to professional pest control services. Others prefer to handle the situation themselves, using devices such as air guns, slingshots, or even blunt tools. "One guy down the street uses a tennis racket. He's pretty accurate, too," said one homeowner.
Moving companies are increasing their clientele. One pest extermination specialist mentioned removing 32 iguanas from a single yard in Coral Springs. "It looked like a lizard frat party. They weren't even scared of me," another neighbor joked.
According to experts, the increase is due to several factors, such as Florida's warm climate, which prevents these animals from dying from winter cold snaps, also known as "cold stun." Generally, when temperatures drop below 50°F, iguanas freeze, and this is when the well-known iguana rain occurs, which is simply iguana fall from tree branches.
Considering the easy access to food, the scarcity of predators, and numerous burrowing sites, it can be described as iguana city. Measures to manage the animal population are active, however, at this time, those living in South Florida are advised to clear brush, cover cavities, and, most crucially, check the toilet before using it.
