If you’ve spent any time in South Florida or the Florida Keys, chances are you’ve seen a green iguana lounging in the sun or dashing up a palm tree. With their spiky crests, long tails, and vibrant green to orange coloration, they’re hard to miss—and even harder to ignore in the Everglades.

But while they may be fun to watch, green iguanas are not native to Florida, and their presence has raised serious environmental concerns.

A Closer Look at the Green Iguana

Native to Central and South America, green iguanas were introduced to Florida through the pet trade and have since established thriving wild populations. Adults can grow up to five feet in length, including their tail, and weigh over 15 pounds.

They’re herbivores, feeding mostly on leaves, fruits, and flowers. In urban and coastal areas, they’re known to invade gardens, damage landscaping, and even chew through insulation and wiring.

Their physical features include:

• A row of spines along the back and tail
• A dewlap (the flap of skin under the throat) for temperature regulation and communication
• Sharp claws used for climbing trees and burrowing

Though typically docile, they can defend themselves with tail whips or by dropping from trees into water to escape threats.

Why Are Iguanas a Problem in the Everglades?

While green iguanas may look like they belong in a tropical jungle, they are an invasive species in Florida’s delicate ecosystem. They compete with native wildlife for food and habitat and are known to:

• Destroy vegetation in parks and preserves
• Undermine sidewalks and seawalls with their burrows
• Prey on endangered native bird eggs in some areas
• Cause economic and infrastructure damage in developed regions

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages property owners to humanely remove iguanas from their land and warns against feeding or relocating them.

Where to See Green Iguanas (Safely)

Despite their controversial status, green iguanas are fascinating creatures to observe—especially on guided tours where their role in the ecosystem can be responsibly discussed.

On a Captain Sterling’s Everglades Tour, guests often spot iguanas sunbathing on mangrove limbs, darting into underbrush, or swimming across narrow channels. They’re fast, agile, and surprisingly graceful in the water.

Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts enjoy the chance to see them up close, but it's important to maintain distance and not attempt to feed or touch them.

The Bigger Conversation: Balancing Beauty and Ecology

Green iguanas are a perfect example of how a beautiful species can disrupt a fragile ecosystem. As Florida continues to manage their population, it’s also a chance to educate visitors about invasive species, habitat conservation, and the importance of protecting native wildlife.

Captain Sterling’s guides help visitors see the full picture—both the wonder and the warning—when encountering creatures like the green iguana in the wild.

Book your trip today!
https://www.captainsterling.com/eco-tours

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