Florida has long been plagued by feral iguanas, the aftermath to an exotic pet boom that brought the scaly rascals to the state a long time ago. Abandoned and/or escaped iguanas have grown in numbers over the years and are responsible for the destruction of plant life and the spread of disease.

A statement from the University of Florida reads:

Damage caused by iguanas includes eating valuable landscape plants, shrubs, and trees, eating orchids and many other flowers, eating dooryard fruit like berries, figs, mangos, tomatoes, bananas, lychees, etc.

Burrows that they dig undermine sidewalks, seawalls, and foundations. Burrows of iguanas next to seawalls allow erosion and eventual collapse of those seawalls.

Droppings of iguanas litter areas where they bask. This is unsightly, causes odor complaints, and is a possible source of salmonella bacteria, a common cause of food poisoning.

Adult iguanas are large powerful animals that can bite, cause severe scratch wounds with their extremely sharp claws, and deliver a painful slap with their powerful tail.

But, now, there is a new hope for  South Florida residents. The region’s record-low temperatures are forcing the lizards into a hibernation stage and causing them to fall from the trees where they normally perch. When the temperature drop below 40 degrees, the iguanas’ body completely shuts down.

Don’t miss your chance to be free of these destructive critters, South Florida. Collect and kill these bastards. Then have them made into nice belts for your grand folks at the retirement home. They can use them to look stylish during bingo or to hang themselves because they know you don’t love them anymore.

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