If you live in South Florida, you’ve probably seen an iguana before. They like to rest in palm trees, soak up the sun, and even swim in your swimming pools. While iguanas are interesting creatures, they are considered invasive in Florida, as they disrupt the ecosystem and make it harder for native species to thrive.
Iguanas are large lizards that come from Central and South America. They were likely introduced during the pet trade, accidentally being released into the wild.
Orange iguanas are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. They are diurnal, as they are active during both the day and night. Additionally, orange iguanas are social creatures, which means you can usually find them basking together in the sun.
If you’ve ever seen an orange iguana, you might be tempted to take one home. Their coloring is beautiful, which might motivate you to want one as a pet. Unfortunately, green iguanas and orange iguanas are prohibited from being kept as pets in Florida due to the harm they cause to the local environment.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is an orange iguana?
- Are orange iguanas different from green iguanas?
- What habitats, behaviors, and diets can you expect from orange iguanas?
- Can you have an orange iguana as a pet in Florida?
What is an Orange Iguana?
Most of the time, when you see an iguana in Florida, they are green. Green iguanas are mostly green with dark brown coloring on their tails. However, there are also giant orange iguanas found in Florida due to the pet trade.
Orange iguanas are simply mature male green iguanas that have turned orange during the breeding season. This orange skin color makes them more attractive to potential mates. In other words, orange iguanas are not a separate species from green ones.
Are Orange Iguanas Different From Female Green Iguanas?
Orange iguanas are usually male green iguanas. You can see orange iguanas during the breeding season, which is either late fall or early winter. While sometimes female iguanas can turn orange, it is usually less pronounced than the males.
In other words, green female iguanas do not turn bright orange, making them different from their male counterparts. The orange hue that male iguanas take on is meant to attract females for mating.
Habitat, Behavior, and Diet of Orange Iguanas
Orange iguanas have the same habitat as green iguanas. You can find them in tropical forests, savannas, and even urban areas.
They like rocky habitats and areas with bodies of water and high levels of sunlight. This makes South Florida the perfect place for orange iguanas to thrive. Unfortunately, their presence disrupts the food chain and local ecosystem, making it harder for native animals to survive.
Orange iguanas like to eat plants, which make up most of their diet. They usually snack on leaves, flowers, fruits, and other types of vegetation. However, they might eat small animals like insects on occasion, especially because they are opportunistic feeders, and when they are in an area without a lot of vegetation.
Orange iguanas are known for being social creatures. They are usually found with other iguanas, especially females. They like to spend time in their natural habitat, soaking up the sun or taking a swim in a body of water.
Iguanas are great climbers, which means you might see them up high in a palm tree. The green allows them to hide better among the palm fronds. However, when they change color, you might have an easier time spotting them in trees.
Additionally, orange iguanas are known for their displays of aggression when they feel threatened or are trying to attract mates. Because they turn orange during mating season, they are more likely to be violent towards other animals, other male iguanas, or even humans who try to approach them.
Can You Have Orange Iguanas as Pets in South Florida?
Green and orange iguanas are no longer allowed as pets in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) classified them as “prohibited” species, which means it is illegal to keep them as a pet, sell them, or transport them while they are alive. The only people who can transport live iguanas are wildlife trappers.
That said, if you move to Florida with a pet iguana, you might be able to obtain a permit to keep it. This only works if you already have one. Your permit will only be valid for the rest of your iguana’s life, which means you can’t buy another when they pass away.
Are Mature Male Iguanas Dangerous?
Mature male iguanas are not necessarily dangerous, especially if you leave them alone. However, they could become aggressive if they feel threatened.
For example, if you find an orange iguana, that means they are looking for a mate and have an elevated risk of behaving aggressively. If you attempt to approach one, they might try to attack you in hopes of defending themselves.
Male iguanas can injure you in the following ways:
- Bites- Iguanas possess small, razor-sharp teeth. They are serrated, which means they could rip through your skin. If they feel threatened, orange iguanas can inflict a painful bite.
- Scratches- Because these lizards need to be able to climb high, they have sharp claws that allow them to grip surfaces on trees. As a result, if an iguana feels threatened, they might use their sharp claws to scratch you.
- Tail Whips- Orange iguanas have long and powerful tails that they use as a defense mechanism when threatened. If they use their tail to whip you, you could experience painful welts, bruises, or even more serious injuries, depending on the location they hit you.
Get Connected to Iguana Removal in Florida
If you see green or orange iguanas on your property, you might be wondering how to get rid of them. While iguanas are very cool looking, with vibrant colors and intercalary scales, they are not native to Florida. Allowing these lizards to live in your backyard could disrupt the local ecosystem.
At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we can trap and remove iguanas from your property using humane and ethical measures. In other words, we won’t harm the lizards in the process. Instead, we will bring these lizards to an animal sanctuary where they will be taken care of and kept away from the local ecosystem.
If you want to remove lizards like iguanas from your property, contact Nuisance Wildlife Rangers today.
