If you woke up this morning in Boynton Beach, Lantana, or West Palm Beach to find what looks like a dead iguana on your lawn, don’t panic—and don’t reach for it just yet. Those “frozen” lizards scattered across Palm Beach County aren’t deceased; they’re cold-stunned, and they’re about to teach you a valuable lesson about Florida’s invasive species problem.
Recent cold snaps have turned Palm Beach County into ground zero for falling iguanas. From West Boynton Beach to Lantana, residents are finding these large reptiles seemingly frozen solid on sidewalks, in pools, and scattered across their yards. According to recent reports, people across our communities have been rounding up cold-stunned iguanas by the dozens.
Here’s what’s actually happening: When temperatures drop below 50°F, these tropical reptiles can’t regulate their body temperature. Their muscles stiffen, they lose their grip on tree branches, and down they fall. It looks dramatic (and a bit concerning), but it’s a temporary state called cold stunning.
“How do I make these mosquitoes stop ruining my life without bathing my family in chemicals?”
While it might be tempting to feel sorry for these seemingly helpless creatures, here’s the hard truth Palm Beach County residents need to understand: Green iguanas are wreaking havoc on our communities.
Remember when 10 iguanas decided to make a home inside the Boynton Beach Police Department’s generator? It cost the city nearly $10,000 to clean out almost 2 inches of iguana feces, replace damaged components, and seal the equipment. City officials were genuinely concerned about the risk of iguanas being “ejected through the radiator cooling fans” if the generator turned on while they were inside.
That’s not just an inconvenience – that’s a serious public safety and infrastructure issue.
This is especially problematic in our waterfront communities
They devour hibiscus, orchids, vegetables, and ornamental plants
A major concern near the Intracoastal and throughout our canal systems
Iguana droppings carry salmonella
Particularly concerning for families with pets
Here’s the good news for Palm Beach County residents: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has recognized that cold weather events present a unique opportunity to manage this invasive species crisis. During recent cold snaps, the FWC issued executive orders allowing temporary removal of cold-stunned iguanas without a permit. According to reports, over 600 iguanas were dropped off in just one Sunday, with hundreds more on Monday – including 140 collected by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation team alone.
Option 1 – During FWC Collection Periods (RECOMMENDED):
Safely collect the iguana and take it to the Tequesta drop-off location. You’re directly helping protect our local ecosystem and infrastructure.
Option 2 – Year-Round on Your Property:
Property owners can humanely euthanize iguanas or contact licensed nuisance wildlife trappers. This is legal and encouraged by the FWC.
Option 3 – Leave It Alone (Least Recommended):
The iguana will warm up and continue damaging our community’s infrastructure, landscaping, and ecosystem.
Green iguanas were just added to Florida's list of the 12 most destructive invasive species, alongside Burmese pythons and other environmental threats. They made the list because of their widespread damage and rapid population growth.
Don't assume your waterfront property in Boynton Beach or canal-side home in Lantana is safe. Iguanas can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes and are strong swimmers. They actually prefer living near water, which is why our Intracoastal communities are hit especially hard.
An adult iguana's tail can be as long as its body and packs enough force to break human skin and leave painful bruises. Even worse, they carry salmonella in their digestive tract and often have ticks on their bodies—particularly concerning for our equestrian communities in Wellington and surrounding areas.
Female iguanas can lay between 14 to 76 eggs throughout the year. That's why you never see just one iguana—once they've claimed your property in West Palm Beach or Boynton Beach, the population explodes.v
For years, the Town of Palm Beach maintained a separate budget allocation specifically for iguana removal, ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 annually, mostly for their Par 3 Golf Course. That tells you everything you need to know about how serious this problem has become.
Here's a silver lining: Those cold snaps that stun iguanas serve a crucial ecological function. Extended freezing temperatures are one of the few natural controls on our exploding iguana population. After particularly harsh winters, scientists observe noticeable decreases in iguana numbers. It's nature's way of keeping an invasive species in check when human efforts have struggled. The recent cold event that brought thousands of iguanas to FWC collection sites represents a real opportunity for our community to reduce the population and protect our infrastructure.
Want to participate when the next cold snap hits Palm Beach County?
How to stay updated:
Follow the FWC website and social media channels
Watch local news (they typically announce collection opportunities during extreme cold warnings)
Sign up for FWC email alerts about invasive species management
Follow Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation social media
Collection events typically happen when temperatures are forecast to drop below 45°F – not often in South Florida, but when it happens, it’s our chance to make a real impact.
Cold-stunned iguanas might look pitiful, but remember: these invasive reptiles are costing Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, and communities throughout Palm Beach County millions in infrastructure damage, destroying our native ecosystems, and posing health risks to our families and pets.
Whether you’re in Lantana watching them fall from palm trees, in West Boynton Beach dealing with burrowed seawalls, or in West Palm Beach concerned about your property’s foundation, you have options—and during cold events, you have the perfect opportunity to help.
The next time you see a frozen iguana in your yard, remember: you’re not just looking at a cold lizard. You’re looking at an invasive species that’s actively damaging the community we all call home.
Have you experienced iguana damage in Boynton Beach, Lantana, or West Palm Beach? Share your stories in the comments below – we’d love to hear from our local community!
Separate them immediately. Iguanas can bite/scratch when they recover. If your pet is injured, call your veterinarian.
