The iguana population has been multiplying rapidly in #Florida. The invasion has gotten so bad that now state officials are urging residents to do their part by killing the creatures “whenever possible.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which protects crocodiles and places strict guidelines on hunting, has put green iguana on its hit list, according to @usatoday. The commission issued a directive describing the green iguana as an invasive species, citing the damage they wreak on seawalls, sidewalks and plants. The iguanas are only protected by anti-cruelty law, the commission adds.
“The (commission) encourages homeowners to kill green iguanas on their own property whenever possible,” the directive says. “Iguanas can also be killed year-round and without a permit on 22 public lands in south Florida.”
Experts fear that if the problem worsens, the iguanas can destroy agriculture and cause electrical transformers to fail. They can also transmit salmonella.
The iguanas are not native to the U.S. and they aren’t always green. The local population apparently began as escaped pets or otherwise managed to make their way to America from their native Central and South America, finding South Florida’s man-made canals perfect for colonizing.
But North Florida has nothing to worry about, as it’s a bit too cold there for iguanas.
The green iguana actually comes in blue, brown to almost black. Some adults can take on an orange or pink coloration during certain times of the year. Hatchling and young green iguanas usually are a bright green color.
The iguanas grow in size. Male green iguanas can grow to over 5 feet in length and weigh up to 17 pounds and females reach lengths similar to those of males, but usually do not exceed 7 pounds. They can live about a decade in the wild and can last twice that long in captivity.
What are your thoughts on this one, Roommates? Let us know!
TSR STAFF: Christina C! @cdelafresh
