#if any biologists have corrections i'm open to hearing them

[voredere]

Despite how the floridian government has them classified, theres also possible significant evidence to classify iguanas as non-invasive in florida, because they've been known to blow into the area during hurricanes (i shit you not) or swim shockingly long distances. while the prevailing theory on how they originally got to florida is by pets escaping during a hurricane in the 60's, there's reports of iguanas winding up on islands further north (mostly in the carribean and virgin islands) than they originated throughout the past few decades via "rafting".

they don't actually seem to have any major impact on the environment (unlike pythons) because they're obligate herbivores and haven't been out-competing anything native-- they theoretically may be an issue for the Miami Blue Butterfly, as they've been known to consume nickerbean plants, but that's it! All other complaints are specifically related to the damage they do to human infrastructure or their status as pests for gardeners. they're also currently naturally prevented from travelling further north by cold weather.

Floridian iguanas do not get as large as their south and central american counterparts, either, which may indicate that they've adapted to the environment.

they mostly just lower property values and destroy sidewalks and other human infrastructure, so rich people HATE them.

you can also eat them-- they're occasionally known as "chicken of the trees".

while you shouldn't approach an adult iguana (especially not an adult male) as they can be very defensive and territorial, they're generally not dangerous to people unless harassed, and will flee into the nearest water source if threatened. they have a very nasty bite and tail-whip though!

tldr: despite what the local governments have said, it's possible iguanas in florida are simply a natural result of climate change causing an increase in hurricanes, and they aren't actually particularly destructive to non-human native species. they're literally just annoying for humans, and they don't really deserve their reputation as menaces or their "kill on sight" mandate.

sources:

https://www.nature.com/articles/26886

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/green-iguana/

https://carnegiemuseums.org/magazine-archive/1996/julaug/dept8.htm

Living in south Florida is like living in Jurassic park.