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yesterday

Florida Opens Two-Day Drop-Offs for Cold-Stunned Green Iguanas as Residents Turn In Hundreds

A temporary FWC order uses the rare freeze to let people surrender immobilized invasive reptiles without permits.

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 01: A cold-stunned green iguana lies on the ground on February 01, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. The cold-blooded creatures fall from trees when temperatures get too low. South Florida reached the mid-30s overnight as an arctic chill moved through the area. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Iguanas are seen ready to be handed over to the Florida Wildlife Commission, Sunday, Feb.1, 2026, at the field office in Sunrise. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Overview

  • Five FWC facilities are accepting live, cold-stunned green iguanas on Sunday, Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon and Monday, Feb. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Residents delivered large numbers of iguanas to regional offices, including a couple who arrived at the Sunrise site with two dozen animals.
  • The FWC instructs collectors to wear protective clothing, place iguanas in breathable cloth sacks, and transport them inside a second locked container labeled “Prohibited Reptiles.”
  • The agency warns iguanas can quickly recover and become defensive, advising against bringing them indoors or into vehicles except for immediate transport to drop-off sites.
  • Surrendered iguanas will be humanely euthanized or, in select cases, transferred to permitted facilities, and the permit-free allowance ends after Monday.