MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Anna Maria Island's new resident has been caught on camera.
- 3 separate reports of green iguana sightings
- Believed to be pets who got out or were released
- Seen one? Take a photo and notify FWC
- More Manatee County stories
Michael Elswick, Natural Resources Division Manager in Manatee County, says over the last couple of weeks he has received three reports of large green iguanas on the island.
The iguanas were spotted in the City of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and on Leffis Key. Due to the sightings being miles apart, Elswick believes they are not the same iguana.
Elswick says his staff was relieved to learn that iguanas were of the large green variety, and were not the black spiny-tailed iguanas that have been popping up by the thousands in Charlotte County and known to prey on birds and sea turtles.
“We were really concerned that it might be one of the more invasive species," he said.
According to Elswick, the green iguanas don't belong in Manatee County due to the cold temperatures that can hit mid-winter. They can also grow to more than five feet long, eat plants, or even eat through a screen.
“The problem is when you get a lot of them!" said resident Nick Vidakovic. "Because there’s areas of South Florida where they’re all over the place.”
Experts ask if you see one to leave it alone and snap a photo. Then either notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission or submit the photo to the IveGot1 app.
"If you’re not from here or you’re a tourist it’s a bizarre thing to see," Elswick said.
He believes the iguanas were pets and either escaped or were released out on the island.
Five Things to Know About the Green Iguana (from FWC)
- Male green iguanas can grow to over 5 feet and weight up to 17 pounds
- They are great swimmers and can be submerged for up to 5 hours at a time
- Green iguanas are natives to Central America, South America, and some Caribbean Islands
- They were first reported in Florida in the 1960s
- Green iguanas typically mate in October & November