There has been a lot of news about Iguanas in Florida; they are in huge numbers. The number of them is so large that, in the year 2000, there were virtually no green iguanas on Grand Cayman island at all. However, only eighteen years later, there were an estimated 1.6 million; by now, that number has probably exceeded 2 million. That has led many people to ask if Iguanas are native to Florida or if they just live there.
The fact is that they are not native to Florida; they are a species more native to Central America and the hotter parts of South America. The first records of green Iguanas in Florida were in the 1960s, so it is unknown how they got there. However, as they are not native, causing many problems to the ecosystem in Florida, they have banned them and even called open season on them. That is a pretty saddening fact, considering that many European people enjoy them as pets. If only there were a way to capture them and send them to pet stores!
Despite their popularity as pets in the Sunshine State, iguanas are not native to Florida. They were introduced by accidental and intentional releases by pet owners in the 1960s and have since increased throughout the state.
The warm climate of Florida allows these non-native animals to thrive, leading to concerns about their impact on native flora and fauna. Iguanas can also cause damage to infrastructure and pose a threat to humans, as they have been known to bite when provoked or defend their territory.
While some Florida residents enjoy keeping iguanas as pets, it is important to remember that they require specialized care and may become aggressive as adults. It is also illegal to capture wild iguanas without proper permits. For these reasons, potential iguana owners must thoroughly research and understand the responsibilities of caring for them properly before bringing one into their home.
Although they may be prevalent in Florida, iguanas are not native to the state, and their presence can disrupt the delicate ecosystem. Residents need to be educated on the realities of owning a non-native species and the potential consequences of releasing them into the wild.
