Releasing Iguanas

I just got a fwd email (something that was from The Today Show), telling me that people in the south that have Iguanas for pets in aquariums, are getting tired of them, so then they release them outside. It went on to say that these Iguana's are getting to be 5-6 FEET long. It also said these creatures are eating and trampling all types of plants and are pretty much taking over. They're trying to make it so these Iguana's are protected, yet these are the non-native ones. Anybody have more info on this?

Evidently, iguana populations have grown exponentially and they've taken to trampling and eating anything and everything to include restoration plantings for the creation of habitat for native species. I've heard that a few of these famished former pets are feasting fast and furiously on flora at Fairchild Gardens which has got to be frustrating for the people who work there. I'm getting the impression the feral populations of iguanas are going to begin competing with feral cats and other exotic invasive species in the news if they've already made it to The Today Show.

I think I heard from somebody that the man who was featured on The Today show who discussed the negative impact these iguanas were having on the envirnoment had to shut down his site because of threats or something-
http://www.iguanabusters.com/

Here's another site that discusses the iguanas and I even saw some sort of a free permit residents could apply for somewhere under his links section-
http://www.iguanatrap.com/

There is some sort of an effort underway to have these iguanas reclassified as "Animals of Concern" by the FWC but evidently the exotic pet industry didn't support the re-classification (golly gee, imagine that) and then there were allegedly several animal rights groups that didn't support the reclassification either so it didn't pass this last session. I suppose they didn't want the iguanas to be able to be trapped and euthanized without permits although it is my understanding they can be hunted as game. I'm told they taste like chicken. I wonder if the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission allows iguanas to be hunted. It would make sense to me if they did. Does anyone from Florida know if they can be hunted?

Here's another exotic invasive beginning to make its debut by chowing down on native gopher tortoises and native burrowing owls-
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/NEWS0105/60602001/1075

Well, at least the exotic introduced iguanas are vegetarians. Look out Floridians!
Muffy measured in at 22’-
http://www.nbc11.com/news/9439051/detail.html
And check this out-
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9600151/

This Burmese Python is also going to have a tremendous impact on the environment and indigenous species. I think it's going to be the existance of this snake that is really going to rattle people when a few lose their poodles and yorkies. Then everyone will be up in arms wanting to kill them or send them all back to Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, China, or Indonesia. When that starts happening, I suspect it won't be too difficult to get all three of these exotic introduced species listed as "Animals of Concern".

And we thought we midwestern gardeners had it bad trying to create habitat for indigenous species???

Oh my! The last link, that last link! It has a video that you can watch. I strongly suggest people view that video. Don't worry, it isn't graphic. Good grief. I am so glad I only have to worry about those dang bees getting in my pop can up here in the Midwest. I don't have to worry about going outside to play in the dirt and seeing some 22' Burmese Python! And my poor puppy, she'd be food. I feel for the people of Florida and all that they have to endure from silly people not wanting their "pets" anymore and just letting them loose!

And here I only thought it was just the iguanas!

Their presence brings gardening for wildlife down south to an all time low doesn't it?

Hey, that "thing" swallowed a 6' alligator. I'm thinking that even my dogs would be snake chow after yours was used as an appetizer.

Yup. Why do people let their "pets" go? That just amazes me. Bad enough to have feral cats, but feral iguanas, feral pythons...........

One of my best friends lives in Florida and the open space behind their condominium complex has become home to a feral cat colony. And of course there are huge disputes among condo residents on what to do, if anything, about the colony.

One would think that iguana's would be farily easy to control.

I did see a show on Animal Planet where some reptile expert near Miami was called in to trap some escaped exotic lizards... One of them was huge and mean - they used a whole chicken as bait to trap it in a big pipe.

One reason to be thankful for winter...

I read though that they do not want anyone to trap these iguanas. I can't find the page now that I found that on.

Hey joe, my 3 dump truck loads of compost? It's NOT enough!! I can't believe it. We've been out yesterday and today spreading it and I'm running out and I'm no where near done. 1 more dump truck load should do me though. But I have to wait till spring I guess. Darn it all anyway.