Some Background

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is the governing body over all fish and wildlife within the boundaries of the State of Florida. FWC’s jurisdiction includes exotic species (i.e., foreign, invasive, non-native, or non-indigenous). The “Common Green Iguana” (Iguana iguana) is native (indigenous) to Central and South America, while the “Black Spinytail Iguana” (Ctenosaura similis) and the “Mexican Spinytail Iguana” (Ctenosaura pectinata) are native to Mexico. As such, these iguanas are considered by FWC to be exotic species in Florida.

A black spinytail iguana (Ctenosaura similis).

Photograph by Kevin M. Enge Copyright © 2003

Click on image for larger view.

These iguanas, now seen in many areas throughout the southern peninsula of Florida and its islands, including the Keys, are descendants of pets which were released illegally or had escaped from irresponsible owners. Because of their original tamed and domesticated heritage they are considered feral animals.

FWC officially considers feral green iguanas, feral black spinytail iguanas, and feral Mexican spinytail iguanas nuisance exotic species which means they are unprotected wildlife, although state animal cruelty laws do apply (e.g., humane capture, humane confinement and humane euthanasia). Any “endangered” and/or “threatened” status of iguanas in their native habitats does not in any way whatsoever apply to their feral offspring in Florida.

While FWC governs the situation, if you contact them for assistance in resolving an iguana problem they will not help you directly but instead they will refer you to a trapper. However, a license is not required to trap iguanas in Florida, although the application process is free and there are some helpful “Do’s and Don’ts” in the accompanying materials.

Many Floridians have learned first-hand that their city or county animal care and control services will not respond to calls regarding iguanas. Those government agencies focus exclusively on domestic animals, primarily dogs and cats. Anything beyond that would be handled at their own discretion, but those resources are already overwhelmed and even further limited by ever-tightening budgets. Chances are good that they will initially refuse to even take a captured iguana off your hands, much less catch one for you.

The following statement made by a leader in the International Iguana Society helps to put their motto of “...working to secure the long-term survival of all iguanas...” into perspective:

That confession should weigh heavily on those who oppose taking action against the rapidly increasing number of over-populations of feral iguanas in South Florida; the problem is now endemic.

On a similar note, the Green Iguana Society has also weighed in on the problem: Feral Iguanas in Florida.

Unfortunately, when it comes to feral iguanas in Florida you are on your own. However, as long as you abide by animal cruelty laws you can take action on your own property and, with permission, your neighbors’ too.

David F. Johnson, owner and author of IguanaTrapper.com, became an expert at catching feral green iguanas during a three-year campaign against an unprecedented over-population within the gated community in which he lives. His remarkable success—elimination of hundreds of iguanas—was soon discovered by local newspapers (The Palm Beach Post, The Sun-Sentinel and The St. Petersburg Times), local radio stations (WXEL 90.7 FM, WFNA 640 AM and WFTL 850 AM), and local television stations (NBC-6 and WB-10). After a decade of “gloom and doom” there was finally some good news about the ever-worsening iguana over-population problem in South Florida.

David is now a licensed trapper focusing exclusively on containing and eradicating iguana over-populations now common throughout many parts of Florida. If this website does not empower you to resolve your iguana problem then hiring him is your best option.