Is it legal to shoot invasive iguanas in Palm Beach County, Florida? Here’s what to know

Florida is home to thousands of unique creatures — whether they were invited or not.

According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state is plagued by more than 500 non-native plant and animal species, especially iguanas.

Green iguanas have been taking over South Florida since the 1960s. These large green lizards originated in Central America and are found in the tropical parts of South America and some eastern Caribbean islands.

They are known to cause damage to residential and commercial landscape vegetation and are often considered a nuisance by property owners. What can Floridians do about this nuisance in their community?

Here’s what you need to know about hunting and eating iguanas in Florida.

Is shooting Florida iguanas legal in Palm Beach County?

Yes. Iguanas are an invasive species in Florida, meaning they’re not native to the state, and are only protected by anti-cruelty laws.

They can be humanely killed on private property year-round with landowner permission, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

It’s legal to eat iguanas but it’s illegal to import iguanas or iguana meat.

Do I need a license to shoot iguanas in Florida?

There are 32 FWC-managed public lands in south Florida where you don’t need a hunting license to kill iguanas, since they’re highly invasive to that portion of the state. The public lands where you can kill as many iguanas as you’d like are the same areas where residents and hunters are encouraged to kill any pythons they see.

“If you are not capable of safely removing iguanas from your property, please seek assistance from a professional nuisance wildlife trapper,” the FWC’s website says. “A permit is required to possess live captured green iguanas for eradication and control purposes.”

If you want to hunt iguanas for their meat or to just help out with controlling their presence in South Florida but don’t know where to go, you can book a guided iguana hunt.

What are the rules for killing iguanas in Florida?

There are only two rules to consider when hunting or killing iguanas:

1. You must either have permission from the owner of the property where you found the iguana or be on one of the 32 FWC-managed public lands where eliminating iguanas is encouraged.

2. You must kill the iguana or iguanas humanely.

Here’s the FWC’s requirements for what makes a humane kill

Regardless of the method you use, you must ensure the following two steps are completed to humanely kill a reptile:

• Step 1: Your method should result in the animal losing consciousness immediately.

What do you do with a dead iguana?

If you’ve gone out and killed an iguana without intent to eat it, don’t toss the body in a road or waterway. You could be charged with a littering fine.

Tossing a dead iguana in the trash could also cost you, depending on where you live. Some cities’ waste management systems allow you to throw it in the trash if it is double-bagged, while others require residents to hire a private pickup service to get rid of the dead animal.

Check what the rules are for your city before you toss the large dead lizard.

Can you eat the iguanas in Florida?

Yes! The iguana has been eaten in other countries for centuries.

“People have been eating iguanas since at least 10,000 years ago, when humans reached the New World tropics. It was a readily available, not-too-dangerous food source. It’s always been part of the diet,” William Kern, a professor at the University of Florida, told USA TODAY back in 2020.

Invasive animals you can eat: Could we solve Florida’s invasive animal problem by eating them?

Its meat is high in protein and low in fat. It’s well-suited for tacos, burritos, curries, soups, stews, gumbo and more, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“The solution? Iguana stew,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrote on its list. “Their meat is often called ‘chicken of the trees’ for its mild flavor.”

The FWC allows for the humane killing and consumption of iguanas in Florida, as they are considered an invasive species.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida iguanas: Killing invasive lizards in Palm Beach County