Big Green Iguana
I've heard news stories for several years about the non-native invasive iguanas in Florida, but in 10 winter/spring trips I've never seen one. This year, we saw several large Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, and one large one at Laxahatchee NWR, all in southern Florida.
The one in the picture and at least four others were draped over dead branches at my eye level, sleeping in the bright sunlight. This one opened his eyes for this picture.
Invasive iguanas did not swim to Florida from Central or South America. They were carelessly released by pet owners or escaped from sellers of exotic animals. They are considered a severely destructive environmental hazard (and they can bite or scratch.)
From nose to the tip of its very long tail (tail not shown in this picture), this iguana was almost four feet long (about 1.2m).
Big Green Iguana
I've heard news stories for several years about the non-native invasive iguanas in Florida, but in 10 winter/spring trips I've never seen one. This year, we saw several large Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, and one large one at Laxahatchee NWR, all in southern Florida.
The one in the picture and at least four others were draped over dead branches at my eye level, sleeping in the bright sunlight. This one opened his eyes for this picture.
Invasive iguanas did not swim to Florida from Central or South America. They were carelessly released by pet owners or escaped from sellers of exotic animals. They are considered a severely destructive environmental hazard (and they can bite or scratch.)
From nose to the tip of its very long tail (tail not shown in this picture), this iguana was almost four feet long (about 1.2m).