The challenge with iguanas has been, without a doubt, the toughest part of working on this food forest. At times, it felt like they made my life almost impossible.

But somewhere along the way, a different mindset was necessary. Instead of chasing or hunting them, I started learning how to live with them. They ate my plant. I replaced it with another one. And then another. And another. 

Iguanas eat your plants in South Florida? I beg your pardon, but are you serious?

 

What plants did they eat? All of them. From the most tender leafy greens to tougher, more established plants. They ate the orchids! They ate the passion fruit vine! They ate crotons, chaya (Aztec spinach), basil, coffee, mango, lilies, beans, pumpkins, and broccoli. They ate everything. Nothing felt truly safe, and every new planting brought a degree of doubt. Even plants that were prepared on pots and they were getting ready to be put on the ground.

Their lifestyle and reproductive behavior

What became increasingly clear over time was that their feeding behavior intensified during the mating season. In Florida, iguanas typically lay their eggs between March and August, a timeframe that directly influences their activity and feeding pressure. During this period, their food demand seems to increase significantly, and the damage to the landscape becomes even more noticeable.

Iguanas are primarily herbivorous, but the type of damage they cause goes far beyond simple feeding. They climb trees and palms, often breaking branches in the process. They dig burrows in unexpected places, creating nests in cavities beneath buildings, sidewalks, and other concrete structures. These behaviors not only affect plants but can also compromise infrastructure.

It is important to understand that iguanas are not native to South Florida. They are an invasive species, and they are not protected. Their presence has become a serious and growing issue for both natural and managed landscapes.

Brace Yourself. Winter is Coming!

Earlier this year, between January 31st and February 2nd, 2026, Broward County experienced an unusual cold front. That weekend was one of the most effective periods the community has seen in reducing iguana activity. Many iguanas fell from trees due to the cold, and residents collected large numbers of them. While the drop in temperatures also brought some concerns about potential crop damage, the immediate reduction in iguana pressure was noticeable.

Reports from across Florida indicated that over 5,000 invasive iguanas were removed during this cold event. In Broward County alone, the Invasive Removal Team reported nearly 2,000 removals. It was a moment that felt significant—but temporary.

Because what followed was just as important: they came back.

Despite the cold, despite the removals, the iguanas returned. With the mating season underway, their need for food intensified, and the pressure on the food forest increased once again.

There is no clear consensus on what should be done once iguanas are captured. Should they be relocated, or should they be euthanized? It is a serious and sensitive topic, and one that I personally prefer not to take a definitive position on. Different people have different perspectives. Some advocate for removal, others for relocation.

There are even more unconventional approaches. In a restaurant in Palm Beach County, iguanas have made their way onto menus as “iguana pizza” during the cold snap, reflecting just how complex and multifaceted this issue has become. Florida pizza restaurant selling iguana pizza faces backlash, scales back production – CBS Miami

Barely moving the needle…

What I have learned, however, is that what I initially thought might solve the problem, whether it was cold weather or removal efforts, did not create a lasting impact on the landscape. The iguanas persisted. They adapted, and they continued to feed.

Here at the Broward Extension Office, they often nest in the piles of mulch we collect for our gardens. Discovering an iguana nest filled with eggs feels almost like finding a hidden treasure. And while I have not tried it myself, I must admit. There are moments when the idea of an iguana scrambled egg breakfast crosses my mind.

 

 

 

 

If you want to learn more about preferred iguanas food plants, resistant plants, and control options (including how to capture them and proper removal), click HERE

Iguanas and Past Historical Representations

Quickly diverting from the main topic, I remember from my Art History classes at university that artifacts excavated from ancient Mesopotamian cities depict figurines of beings holding infants. They appear to be nurturing, almost maternal. Yet, these beings are not entirely human. They have elongated heads, almond-shaped eyes, and distinctly reptilian features. Often referred to as the Ubaid “lizardmen,” these figures blur the line between human and reptile in a way that is fascinating.

Standing in the food forest, watching these iguanas move through the landscape, climbing, feeding, nesting, I sometimes can’t help but think about those ancient representations. About how long reptiles have shared space with us, and how deeply connected our histories with the natural world might be.

Maybe the question is not just about how we control, remove, or adapt to them. Maybe the question is how we understand them. Because at the end of the day, this food forest was never just about plants. It was about creating a living system. And in that system, even the most challenging species force us to reflect, to adapt, and to reconsider our place within it.

Perhaps the real transformation was not just the land itself, but the way I see it.

 

 

If you missed the previous parts, here is a link to them:

Part 1: From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey PART 1 – UF/IFAS Extension Broward County

Part 2: From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey PART 2 – UF/IFAS Extension Broward County

Part 3: From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey PART 3 – UF/IFAS Extension Broward County