Iguanas in S. Florida

[JordanAng420]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-iguana-problem-p042809,0,1247701.story

You have GOT to be kidding me. I want to know how this idiot gets off telling people to "whack them in the head, stun them, and decapitate them". This article is just gasoline added to the fire that is the attempt to ban non-natives. Then he goes and tries to scare people by telling them about the Komodo dragon that was found in somebody's backyard...I bet it wasn't even one! I know there's a problem, but what's this business about getting MICROCHIPS for lizards more than 2 INCHES? Who are these people that make this insane crap up? I've lost respect for this state and especially the editors of the Sun-Sentinel.

 

[Ultrakd]

Oh boy........Here we go again

 

[Khrysty]

you know...the microchips idea isn't really a bad one. But "more than 2 inches" is ridiculous. I'd say the species that could overrun the ecosystem...iguanas, large snakes, etc.

We microchip our dogs and cats...

 

[JordanAng420]

Exactly, that's what got me! I agree that sure, maybe I should microchip my ball python, but my 6 inch leopard geckos?

 

[Khrysty]

Exactly, that's what got me! I agree that sure, maybe I should microchip my ball python, but my 6 inch leopard geckos?

Yeah...THAT's ridiculous.:main_yes:

 

[ariana]

if i thought there was ever a chance that my geckos could get lose than i might do it lol im a major worrier. all 7 of my cats and my dog have chips. and every guinea pig and rat i had had them too. lol i know some of you are going, a rat? but those lil things made my day brighter and i loved them

 

[ariana]

and just me 2 cents, those iguanas have as much a right to be there as the people do..i hope that an iguana eats that man

 

[herpencounter]

and just me 2 cents, those iguanas have as much a right to be there as the people do..i hope that an iguana eats that man

Why should an introduced species be here? Where I live we have a huge iguana and nile monitor problem.
Both where introduced.

Iguanas where introduced from people that could not take care of the large lizard. I have talked to people that have released them needless to say I was pissed.

Here is the story on the niles. A few years ago (I don’t recall the year) a man was trying to breed nile monitors for the pet trade, but was having a hard time breeding them. So he released them on his property and they successfully bred. He would go out and dig up there eggs hatch them and sell. Well It worked to well, and now we have a problem with niles.

I am not sure if iguanas compete for food with any natives. They do eat allot of the hibiscus flowers.=P

The niles do eat native animals. So IMO this is the animal of concern not iguanas… There are a hell of a lot more iguanas though.


Microchip lizards over two inches… That’s a load of BS.


P.S. You wont get close enough to hit the iguanas in the head in my area LOL.

 

[Kitsune]

I'm 100% for the microchipping of all animals.. But.. 2 inches.. That's ridiculous.
Iguanas are a huge problem here in FL.. but, I don't agree with the mindless killing of them. Invasive or not.. It's still disgusting to do to an animal.
I agree J.. Try to get that close to an iguana before it zooms off. XD

 

[snakegirl]

yeah ugg am sick of iguana myself around here we have Post saying "DO NOT FEED IGUANAS OR DUCKS"...only in FL....

 

[snowgyre]

Thankfully the animal control officer acknowledged that the microchipping would be useless anyway since there is already an established breeding population of iguanas down there. Microchipping is only useful to make people accountable for releasing pets while there isn't a wild breeding population, otherwise it's a waste of time.

HerpEncounter, THANK YOU!! Yes, you're absolutely right!! Invasive species have NO place in our environment, and they do nothing but damage native plant and animal species.

Folks, if anybody ever tells you 'but they've been here for a hundred years, we have to call them native now, don't we?', don't buy it. Our native species have been here for hundreds of thousands of years, isolated from other areas of the world and therefore very vulnerable to the diseases and depredation of invasive species because they have not developed evolutionary responses to those new threats. In other words, we've been changing things way too fast for our native species to respond to adequately by introducing all these species, intentional or not.

PS. This goes for cats too. Keep your cats indoors. It's not animal cruelty and it'll save the lives of dozens of animals per year per cat.

 

[denver2890]

Microchipping reptiles has to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. I bet it would cost more to do that than the cost of some animals. I have also heard of a RTB dying from a Micro Chip moving down its body to its head.

 

[BGalloway]

I agree totally with the keeping cats indoors! In my neighborhood we have a HUGE problem with feral cats. The best we can do is have a spay/neuter-release program though, there's just not enough homes for all these animals and some a too feral to be pets.

So how does Florida plan to stop/limit the breeding population of iguanas? Can you spay/neuter an iguana or is the best option humane euthanasia? (note I said humane euthanasia, not "whack 'em over the head and chop it off")

 

[Khrysty]

I agree totally with the keeping cats indoors! In my neighborhood we have a HUGE problem with feral cats. The best we can do is have a spay/neuter-release program though, there's just not enough homes for all these animals and some a too feral to be pets.

So how does Florida plan to stop/limit the breeding population of iguanas? Can you spay/neuter an iguana or is the best option humane euthanasia? (note I said humane euthanasia, not "whack 'em over the head and chop it off")

It's possible to spay/neuter an iguana, but it's not a very safe procedure. Reptiles don't react to anesthesia the same way warm-blooded animals do and can't breathe on their own while under. Someone has to essentially "breathe" for them and one mistake on their part can cost the animal its life. IMO a procedure like that should only be done when it's necessary to save the animal's life.