Green Iguanas invading Marco Island!

October 22, 2017 | Paddle Marco
Green Iguana on a Marco Island Canal Wall

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If you have ever been to the Miami, Florida area and driven around the suburbs, you may have spotted a giant Godzilla-like lizard laying on a sidewalk or sitting up in a tree next to an aqueduct or pond. You’re thinking to yourself… “What the heck is that? Am I in the rain forest?” You knew Florida had lizards, but you may not have known that we had giant Green Iguanas! South Florida currently has a major Green Iguana problem.

These iguanas love the sun and they love heat, which is why they thrive in south Florida. The Green Iguana (also known as the American Iguana) comes from Brazil and Central America and most likely got introduced to south Florida by exotic pet import shops and careless pet owners releasing them in the wild. The population exploded just over a decade ago. The Green Iguana now spans from Miami to Marco Island and Naples, all the way down to the Florida Keys. You’ll even see them swimming about in the Mangrove tunnels if you’re lucky!

Big Green Iguana sunning on a down Palm Tree. © Olga Livesey, Paddle Marco
green iguana next to my kayak
Green Iguana hanging on the rocks. Photo by Olga © Paddle Marco.

It’s laying next to my swimming pool!

As you know, our summer temperatures here in Marco Island, Florida are somewhat similar to temperatures in South America. Green Iguanas require this kind of climate to survive and populate (80-90 F). The typical day to day activities of a Green Iguana are a lot like a retiree or Florida snowbird. Lay around and relax by the swimming pool, literally. You can often find them on top of a screened in pool enclosure or up in a tree sun bathing not far from a canal or backyard pool. Their slow metabolism allows them to eat once per day or every other day. They often munch on grass, vegetation and fruits. Small lizards and insects are not part of their diet. They like to make their nests in the rocks just behind your canal walls, so if you have a large hole behind your canal wall… look out for an Iguana. If you approach one, they’ll usually scurry away quickly or jump into the canal (they are excellent swimmers). Some of them can grow up to 6 feet long!

Iguana Marco Island
Green Iguana chillin’ on the Canal wall. Photo by Olga © Paddle Marco

Is the Green Iguana here to stay?

Yes. Unless we get a cold snap like we had in 2010 and wipes them out. It has taken 7 years for them to rebound. Debbie from the The Marco Review Magazine mentioned that people have heard odd thumping noises on cold days coming from outside in their yards. Turns out it was the Green Iguanas falling out of the trees and landing on the ground. Living with Green Iguanas is just something we’ll have to deal with.

Green Iguana jumping in for a swim! Olga © Paddle Marco
Green Iguana in the Canal
He’s watching you… Photo by Olga © Paddle Marco

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