Iguanas

Iguana Facts

Iguanas are popular exotic pets in the United States, until they get too big or difficult to care for. Released iguanas have become established in parts of Southern Florida and can be a nuisance to homeowners. The green iguana, Mexican spiny-tailed iguana and black spiny-tailed iguana are the three most common invasive iguana species in Florida.

Iguana Damage

Iguana eating habits can harm your landscaping plants, flowers, and ornamental trees. These nuisance wildlife will also help themselves to any fruit you are growing in your lawn or garden like bananas, berries and tomatoes. Iguana burrows built along sidewalks and seawalls can damage the structures and even cause them to collapse.

Types of Iguana

Iguana Identification

The most common species of iguana to inhabit Florida are the green iguana, the Mexican spiny-tailed iguana, and the black spiny-tailed iguana. In some cases, larger, spiny-tailed iguanas can be mistaken for alligators because of their dorsal spines and darker color. The average length for an iguana in the U.S. is 6 1/2 feet. Their bodies are green and covered in scales. Many times they are described as looking like the mini version of a mythical dragon.

Iguanas in the Yard & Garden

Iguanas primarily eat fruit, flowers, and other plants but will sometimes eat insects, bird eggs, lizards, and other small animals. As babies or hatchlings, they will actually eat adult droppings because it provides a special bacteria that helps them digest plants. They spend the night in burrows they dig in protected areas and bask in open spaces like sidewalks, docks, and lawns during the day. They are very good swimmers and will usually settle near water. When alarmed, iguanas will dive into the water and swim away. This makes it challenging to trap and remove these nuisance wildlife. They will get defensive if cornered or tampered with by pets or people. They have sharp teeth and claws, and will bite, scratch, or deliver a slap with their strong tails.