Learn about these reptiles on Iguana Awareness Day
While iguanas are considered an invasive species in the United States, as these cold-blooded reptiles supposedly came to the states from South and Central America on cargo ships, they are often seen throughout Florida.
George Van Horn, owner of Reptile World Serpentarium in St. Cloud, said these plant-eating creatures can be a nuisance, especially in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, where they are often found basking in the sun on rooftops, leaving behind poop.
“We human beings are very picky,” he said. “When another animal comes in, if it disturbs anything in our realm, we get very upset about it, but I think iguanas have some rights, too.”
On National Iguana Awareness Day — some say occurs annually on Sept. 8, while others insist it takes place the second Saturday of September — people are encouraged to learn more about iguanas or get a glimpse of one.
Reptile World is one place to celebrate, as the attraction has four female iguanas and one male — because it’s important to keep only one male per enclosure, Van Horn noted.
“You put two males in there, one of them is gonna die,” Van Horn said. “You examine the dead iguana and it’s not like they were physically killed. Somehow, they just finally said, ‘Okay,’ and they turn off.
To see and learn more about iguanas, visit these Central Florida attractions.
■ Reptile World Serpentarium: Open10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; 5705 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in St. Cloud; admission is $11.75 for ages 18 and up, $9.75 for students ages 6-17 and $8.75 for ages 3-5; 407-892-6905; reptileworldserpentarium.com
■ Brevard Zoo: The zoo is home to Grand Cayman blue iguanas, which can be found on the Caribbean Trail. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 8225 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne; tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific date and time for
$24.70 for adults, $22.70 for seniors and $14.70 for ages 3 -11; 321-254-9453; brevardzoo.org
■ Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Find Grand Cayman rock iguanas, aka blue iguanas, at the zoo. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily; 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford; tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific date and time for $19.50 for adults, $15.95 for ages 60 and up, $13.75 for ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 and younger; 407-323-4450; centralfloridazoo.org
■ Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge: See a green iguana at this refuge. Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10525 Clapp Simms Duda Road in Orlando; admission is a $5 donation per person (free for ages 3 and younger); 407-568-5138; btnwildlife.org