Florida Officials Encourage Homeowners to Kill Green Iguanas ‘Whenever Possible’

Invasive green iguanas have become such a problem in some parts of Florida that officials have started encouraging homeowners to kill the reptiles.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in a notice posted to its website, said people should exterminate the large green lizards on their properties as well as on 22 public lands areas across South Florida.

“Homeowners do not need a permit to kill iguanas on their own property,” the Commission wrote on their website. “The FWC encourages homeowners to kill green iguanas on their own property whenever possible.”

Green iguanas, which are not native to Florida, destroy crops and plants and also dig holes under buildings, which can create structural damage. They also spread Salmonella. (Photo Credit: Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

According to the agency, green iguanas cause damage to residential and commercial landscape vegetation, and are often considered a nuisance by property owners.

“Some green iguanas cause damage to infrastructure by digging burrows that erode and collapse sidewalks, foundations, seawalls, berms and canal banks,” the FWC added.

The reptiles, which are not native to Florida, can also spread Salmonella.

A Critter Control specialist removes a green iguana from a Florida backyard. (Photo Credit: Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Green iguanas, which can grow to at least 5 feet long and weigh nearly 20 pounds, are an invasive species and have threatened plants and animals native to the Sunshine State.

Although primarily herbivores, researchers found the remains of tree snails in the stomachs of green iguanas in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, suggesting that iguanas could present a threat to native and endangered species of tree snails.

In Bahia Honda State Park, green iguanas have consumed nickerbean, which is a host plant of the endangered Miami Blue butterfly.

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• Two-Headed Lizard Surprised Keepers at Australian Reptile Park
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