Falling iguanas in Florida

@MarieCoyle (54260)
February 2, 2026 5:40pm CST
If you follow news here in the US, you know that Florida, as well as other states, is having an unusual winter. They are not set up for cold like us northerners. Many species of wildlife live there that count on the warm temperatures. The green iguanas were introduced to Florida from the exotic pet trade. Florida is not their native country. Like the overpopulation of pythons, people brought them in or bought one at a pet store, got tired of them, and let them loose. The rest is history. Florida is collecting the cold-stunned creatures to destroy them while they are in their ''cold coma'' as they are hard to catch and can bite and scratch. They carry salmonella as well. It is my understanding that when they fall in the dormant stage from the cold, they can survive like that for 24 hours. Iguanas cause a lot of damage in some spots, they dig under sidewalks, patios, etc. as well as landscaping. And no one wants to tangle with one. Florida allows the removal of them as to trap and euthanize as a norm, but of course that is difficult when they grow so large. My brother-in-law lives in south Florida. He enjoys being outside and loves pretty much all creatures (he isn't fond of those pythons!) He has quite a few iguanas on his property. He couldn't stand it today, he was out there early this morning picking the dormant ones up from under shade trees and putting them out in the sunshine. He just couldn't stand it. All around him, neighbors are collecting the dormant iguanas and taking them to drop off points, but he is saving the ones on his property if he can. He says he enjoys watching them. He doesn't have any small children or other pets, just the wildlife. I love animals but it seems the iguanas there have saturated so many areas and made it unsafe for some people. I don't like to hear of wildlife dying unnecessarily, but I can understand why people don't want them on their property. But his tender heart won't let them die without trying to save them. He says they have a right to live, and they can't help it that they are not native to Florida. Poor guy...I think he is going to lose this battle of the iguanas.
https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/cold-stunned-iguanas-fwc-removal-order-florida/70209629
6 people like this
6 responses
@wolfgirl569 (128915)
• Marion, Ohio
10h
I hate to see them killed but understand doing it. They can destroy the natural habitat for native animals
2 people like this
@noni1959 (12377)
• United States
6h
I have a heart so that would be hard for me too. I'd hide them in the trees or some place no one can find them. I know invasive makes it hard but wish there was a place they could be taken and let loose.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54260)
5h
I know. I thought to myself, if there are that many iguanas there, why can't they build some kind of swampy santuary for them and take them there as they can catch them? At least they wouldn't have to kill them. It's not like it's the iguanas at fault, it's humans that made this happen.
@AmbiePam (111806)
• United States
11h
I couldn’t let the iguanas die either. I could totally turn in the pythons as they are killing huge amount of beautiful, vital, native animals. But the iguanas, and maybe it’s unfair, I couldn’t let them die.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54260)
10h
Yes, pythons have really left their mark in Florida. They have made a huge negative impact in the Everglades. It’s sad that people get these creatures and yire of them, letting them go in a place that isn’t native to their species. I don’t think I could let the iguanas die without giving them a chance
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39407)
• Toccoa, Georgia
9h
I saw a post earlier today on Instagram about how New Smyrna Beach Florida was having freezing temperatures that they normally don't have.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54260)
5h
Much of Florida has been a lot colder than normal the past couple of days. They are not used to cold weather. It seems funny to think that they believe being in the 40's as cold, but they do. It's all what a person gets used to, I guess.
@LadyDuck (492274)
• Italy
2h
I am sorry learning that animals are killed, but I understand that sometimes it's necessary. We have to kill wolves here, they are becoming a danger. I am very sad, I love wolves, they are beautiful animals, but they are killing sheep and they come close to the houses now.
@JudyEv (370625)
• Rockingham, Australia
9h
Introduced species can do so much damage to the native wildlife. I'm afraid I'd be taking the iguanans to drop-off points but to each his own.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54260)
5h
I get it, I really do. It would just be very hard to do.