Green iguanas are lizards that originate from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. You’ve probably seen an iguana or two if you live in South Florida. While they live in Florida now, they are considered an invasive species.
Green iguanas were introduced to South Florida by accident, from cargo ships in the 1960s. Today, you can find them basking in the sun, swimming in pools, or crawling up palm trees. Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas and black spiny-tailed iguanas are both found in South Florida.
If you want to own a pet iguana, unfortunately, it is illegal in the State of Florida. Because they are an invasive species, the state tries to prevent any more from entering the country. That said, if you find an iguana in your yard, you might become curious about what they eat.
Both young iguanas and adult iguanas are considered herbivores, which means they mostly eat plants. You can find healthy iguanas munching on leafy greens, vegetables, and some fruits. Because of their diet, if you have fruits or vegetables growing in your garden, you might be attracting iguanas to your yard.
While green iguanas are fun to look at, they can be a nuisance. Aside from eating the things growing in your garden, they might leave droppings all over your yard. Iguanas often take dips in people’s pools, which can cause the spread of salmonella.
Due to this, you should seek professional help if you have an iguana problem. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we use a humane and ethical approach to iguana trapping and removal.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is an iguana?
- What is the diet of a green iguana?
- Can you have a pet iguana in Florida?
- What should you do if you have an iguana infestation?
What is a Green Iguana?
Iguanas are the largest lizards found in America. They can grow up to 6.5 feet long and weigh 11 pounds. Baby or juvenile iguanas are usually between 9 to 14 inches in length, including the tail.
Like many lizards, iguanas thrive in natural areas like mangroves, pinelands, and along canals and levees. That said, they can also live in man-made or human-modified environments like vacant lots and suburban neighborhoods. That’s why it is common to see iguanas roosting in palm trees around your home.
Because iguanas are considered an invasive species in Florida, they do cause harm to the local environment. They are known for disrupting plant and animal populations by competing for resources. Iguanas can also harm infrastructure due to their burrowing habits.
What Do Iguanas Eat: Plant Material and the Iguana Diet
Iguanas are known as herbivores, which means they eat a balanced diet of leafy greens, fruit, and vegetables. They are specifically folivores, which is a term that describes an animal that eats leaves, flowers, and fruits. Their varied diet is what has helped them survive in South Florida, even though it is not their natural habitat.
Iguanas can eat the following types of food:
- Leafy Greens- Iguanas like to eat dark colored leafy greens and plant matter like kale, turnip greens, dandelion greens, Swiss chard, beet greens, and collard greens. If these are growing in your garden, you might find some iguanas eating your plants.
- Vegetables- Iguanas also like to snack on fresh vegetables like bell peppers, green beans, sweet potatoes, zucchini, and other vegetables like butternut squash.
- Fruits- Many iguanas like to snack on fruits in small amounts. They like most fruits, but especially tropical fruits, such as mangoes, figs, and certain berries.
- Flowers- If you are growing flowers in your garden like hibiscus, you’ll find an iguana at some point.
- Insects and Animal Matter- Even though iguanas are herbivores and mainly eat plant matter, sometimes they’ll eat insects or other lizards. This is especially common among young iguanas that are not used to hunting for their food.
People who have pet iguanas might feed them alfalfa pellets, calcium-rich vegetables, calcium supplements, or commercial diets, even though fresh greens and vegetables are better for them. If you are an iguana owner, you must take a deep dive into iguana care to ensure they are getting the right nutrients.
Can You Have a Pet Iguana in Florida?
Unfortunately, it is illegal to have a pet iguana in Florida. This is because they are an invasive species, and the exotic pet trade is mainly to blame. When iguana owners decided they didn’t want the responsibility anymore, they released them into the wild. This causes a huge strain on South Florida’s ecosystem.
Understanding the natural history of iguanas and how they’ve harmed the environment makes it easier to understand why iguanas are not allowed as pets. That said, if you move to Florida with a pet iguana, you are allowed to keep it until the end of its life if you apply for a permit and adhere to specific restrictions, like not allowing it to breed.
What to Do if Your Yard is Overtaken By Adult Iguanas
Most iguanas are non-confrontational; however, if they feel threatened, they might attack. They have razor-sharp claws and teeth, which means being attacked by an iguana can be dangerous. For this reason, you should never try to remove iguanas on your property by yourself.
You should also avoid feeding iguanas if you see them in your yard, as this will encourage them to keep returning. If you are dealing with nuisance iguanas, contact a professional animal removal service. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we will remove iguanas from your property without harming them in the process.
Because iguanas can have internal parasites, you shouldn’t allow your pets to come in contact with their droppings. Instead, call a wildlife removal expert to come and trap the iguanas and help you with the clean-up process.
Get Connected to Professional Iguana Care and Removal Services
If you are dealing with a reptile infestation like iguanas, it’s time to seek professional help. They are probably attracted to your property because they’ve found a food source, like vegetables, or a water source, like a pet’s water bowl. Thankfully, Nuisance Wildlife Rangers can help you remove iguanas and other reptiles from your property once and for all.
Contact Nuisance Wildlife Rangers today to learn more about our reptile and iguana removal services.
