Iguana Population Booms in Florida

iguanas have been on the rise in Florida for the past few years. The population of iguanas has boomed and they are now being seen in places they have never been before. There are a few reasons for the population explosion. The first reason is that there has been a decrease in the number of predators that would typically prey on iguanas. The second reason is that Florida has had mild winters over the past few years, which is great news for iguanas since they are cold-blooded animals and need warm weather to survive.

While some people may welcome the sight of iguanas, others find them to be a nuisance. Iguanas can be very destructive and can wreck havoc on gardens and yards. They can also be carriers of diseases, so it is important to take precautions if you come into contact with one.

If you are someone who lives in an area where there are a lot of iguanas, there are a few things you can do to deter them from coming onto your property:

-Install wire mesh around your property line to stop them from entering. -Put up fences or barriers around your garden or yard to keep them out. -Place motion detectors around your property or use deterrents such as ammonia or chili powder to scare them off. -Remove any food or water sources that may be attracting them.

Iguana Invasion: Pets Turn into Pests

Iguanas are invading the homes and yards of Florida residents, turning them into costly pests.

The nonnative reptiles, which can grow to six feet long and weigh more than 20 pounds, are being abandoned by owners who can no longer take care of them or who bought them on a whim without understanding their needs.

"They're dropping iguanas off like they're hot potatoes," said Jeannie LeClaire, a reptile rehabilitator in Fort Myers.

The iguanas are damaging houses, eating plants, landscaping and even wiring, costing homeowners $100 to $500 per animal to remove.

"We've never seen anything like this before," said Kristen Sommers, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). "They're just coming out of the woodwork."

The FWC is asking people not to release their iguanas into the wild and is working with local governments to create ordinances that will prohibit owning them as pets.

Expert Weighs In on Iguana Scourge

The iguana scourge is a growing problem on the islands, with dozens of the lizards being spotted every day. The government has been struggling to come up with a plan to deal with the influx of iguanas, and some residents are calling for a cull of the animals.

Expert opinions on how to deal with the iguana scourge vary, but most agree that a combination of methods is necessary. Some experts advocate for a relocation program, while others believe that hunting and trapping should be used to reduce the population.

Marcela Zuniga, an ecologist at the University of Costa Rica, believes that educating people about how to live peacefully with iguanas is key. "We have to change the perception that these animals are pests," she said. "They are an important part of our ecosystem."

Despite the differences in opinion, there is widespread agreement that something must be done soon to address the growing iguana population.

Are Iguanas Good for the Environment?

Iguanas are common in the pet trade, but are they good for the environment?

The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. Iguanas have pros and cons when it comes to their effect on the environment.

On the pro side, iguanas can actually be beneficial to the environment in some ways. For example, they can help control pest populations by eating insects. They also consume leafy greens, which can help reduce the amount of vegetation that would otherwise decompose and release methane into the atmosphere.

However, there are also cons to having iguanas as pets. For one, they can be destructive in gardens and homes. They also eat a lot, and their droppings can contain harmful bacteria that can adversely affect water quality.

In conclusion, while iguanas may have some positive effects on the environment, their negative impacts likely outweigh these benefits. As such, it is generally not recommended to keep iguanas as pets unless you are prepared to take measures to mitigate their negative impacts.

What to Do If You Encounter an Iguana

If you come across an iguana while exploring Florida's natural areas, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself and the iguana safe.

First, leave the iguana alone. Iguanas are timid creatures and will likely run away if given the chance.

If you must move the iguana, use a stick or other object to guide it in the desired direction. Do not touch or pick up the iguana.

If you see an injured or sick iguana, contact your local wildlife officials for assistance. Do not try to handle the iguana on your own.