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Residents in Florida have been granted temporary permission to capture live, cold-stunned green iguanas without a permit, thanks to a recent directive from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). These iguanas can be delivered to one of five designated FWC facilities during the current cold snap.
The FWC’s executive order, effective from Sunday, February 1, to Monday, February 2, aims to address the presence of green iguanas during this chilly period.
Green iguanas are considered an invasive species in Florida, posing threats to both the state’s environment and economy, according to the FWC.
“This executive order offers a rare chance for the public to capture green iguanas on their property amid these unusual cold conditions,” stated the FWC. “Captured iguanas can be brought to FWC locations without a permit, where they will be humanely euthanized or, in some instances, transferred to authorized individuals for the purpose of live animal sales.”
The FWC has specified five locations that will accept these cold-stunned iguanas. On Sunday, they will operate from 9 a.m. to noon, and on Monday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the listed sites.
- FWC Southwest Regional Office, 3900 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, FL 33811.
- FWC South Florida Regional Lab, 2796 Overseas Highway 119, Marathon, FL 33050
- FWC Office, 10052 NW 53rd Street, Sunrise, FL 33351
- FWC Tequesta Field Lab, 19100 SE Federal Highway (US 1), Tequesta, FL 33469
- FWC Law Enforcement Office, 2423 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901
“Invasive green iguanas are not protected in Florida except by state anti-cruelty laws, and members of the public may humanely kill green iguanas year-round on their property or with landowner permission,” FWC said.
When temperatures drop and are or near freezing, reptiles and amphibians can go into a state of torpor, where they temporarily lose muscle control and appear “frozen,” FWC said.
“The FWC reminds the public that if you encounter a cold-stunned green iguana, you should never bring it into your home or building to warm up and never put it into your vehicle unless specifically transporting to the FWC under the regulations of EO 26-03. Iguanas can recover from cold-stunning more quickly than you might expect and, once recovered, can act defensively, with long tails that whip and sharp teeth and claws,” FWC said.