Cold Snap Brings Rare Opportunity to Remove Cold-Stunned Iguanas in Florida

A rare South Florida cold snap is doing more than chilling residents—it’s temporarily immobilizing one of the state’s most problematic invasive species. As temperatures plunge to near-freezing levels, green iguanas are entering a state known as torpor, losing muscle control and sometimes falling from trees.

In response, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued an executive order allowing the public to collect live, cold-stunned green iguanas without a permit for a limited time. The measure is designed to reduce the population of the invasive reptiles, which FWC says cause environmental damage and economic harm across the state.

FWC staff will accept collected iguanas at five designated locations on Sunday, February 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, and Monday, February 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop-off sites include facilities in Marathon, Sunrise, Tequesta, Fort Myers, and Lakeland.

Property owners may remove iguanas from their own land, and members of the public may do so with landowner permission. The temporary rules also apply on certain Commission-managed properties in South and Southwest Florida.

FWC urges anyone participating to follow strict safety guidelines. Protective gloves, long sleeves, and pants are recommended to avoid scratches. Iguanas must be placed in a secure cloth bag—plastic containers are prohibited for primary containment—and then sealed inside a second, locked transport container labeled “Prohibited Reptiles.”

Officials stress that collected iguanas should be transported immediately and never brought indoors to warm up. Once temperatures rise, the animals can quickly regain mobility, posing safety risks.

The public is reminded that this opportunity is weather-dependent and temporary, tied directly to the unusually cold conditions gripping the region.