While most might assume those pesky iguanas have been around forever, that is not the case. In fact, of the three iguana species currently residing in Florida, all are invasive as not a single one is native to the sunshine state.
Iguanas have been imported over the years as part of the exotic pet trade which began in the 1960s and 70s, and resulted, by way of escape and/or the purposeful release of pets, in becoming the Floridian staple they are today. Iguana proliferation is similar to that of another invasive species found in the Evergaldes, the Burmese python.
“Then, shouldn’t we be hunting iguanas in a similar fashion as other invasive species?” asked senior Diego Garcia Velazquez.
Others might object to Diego’s reasoning and feel that iguanas should be protected.
“I thought they were a protected species,” wondered senior Logan Aungst.
While that may be true for other countries, it certainly isn’t the case in Florida. Since the first reported sightings in Hialeah, Coral Gables and Key Biscayne in the 1960s, the population has boomed. And while some people grow in irritation at the mere sight of them, others have the opposite reaction.
“Oranges and greens with a little hint of brown. Absolutely Gorgeous creatures,” said English teacher Dr. Rafael Montes in awe at the many lizards he sees around ILS’s campus.
Those who share Dr. Montes’ perspective view iguanas as beautiful creatures whose variety of colors and docile nature are reasons why they became exotic pets in the first place. Iguana owners may have been originally compelled to flaunt and exploit their beauty at first. If not for the havoc they wreak in most people’s backyards everyday, many others would also marvel and be more sanguine about sharing their South Florida home alongside them.
It is estimated that there are currently over 4 million iguanas in Florida, with certain parts of the state boasting more than 7,000. With no natural predators, these lizards can grow up to six feet in length and causing concerns regarding their unchecked expansion for many local residents. Relatively unchecked by predators, these iguanas continue to repopulate. One female iguana can lay 30 to 40 eggs at a time. so next time you see an iguana just remember, they are indeed taking over.
