Evening up the scales: Iguanas are eating SW FL. Why not eat them back? We've got recipes
So, you've bagged yourself an invasive iguana or two. What next? If you're a waste not/want not type, why not make use of your kill?
And just to ease your mind, it's fine. Like all nonnative reptile species, green iguanas aren't protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property with landowner permission, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and on 32 public lands in south Florida, including the Big Cypress, and parts of Fisheating Creek and Babcock (check here first) in Southwest Florida.
More: 'I ate iguana soup': Marco Island's invasive iguana hunter has social media buzzing
Iguana is not by any means a huge part of Marco Island iguana hunter John Johnson's menu, but he's not against demonstrating its culinary potential. Known as The Iguana Guy, Johnson regularly supplies an FGCU class with meat for cultural studies and has demonstrated iguana egg breakfasts on camera as well.
Meet The Iguana Guy Mini dragons have invaded Marco Island. One man's on a quest to stop them with an air gun
The scrambled eggs are pretty standard, but for meat dishes, Johnson recommends an initial parboil, the way you'd poach chicken before making it into salad or casserole.
Here are a couple of recipes to get you started, and there are more online resources as well.
1/2 pound skinned iguana meat. There's not a whole lot of muscle on iguanas except for the legs and the top of the tails, so that's generally the focus, Johnson says. If you don't have your own, exoticmeatmarkets.com will sell you a pound for $149.99
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
About a tablespoon of powdered Fajita seasoning
Oil for sauteeing
Tortillas and garnishes, like tomatoes, avocado cilantro and salsa
Bring a pot of water to a low boil. Add the meat and simmer about 20 minutes. Drain and sautee, then place in a bowl with juice and seasoning and allow to marinate for half an hour. Remove from marinade, heat oil and sautee. Cool and chop or shred to desired fineness before wrapping in tortillas and garnishing to taste.
10-12 eggs (will be joined together with membrane)
Dash of milk
Grated cheese
1 tablespoon butter
Seasonings to taste
Remove and rinse eggs. With a sharp knife, slit the eggs, then squeeze them into a bowl. Don't be alarmed at the lack of whites; iguana eggs are all yolk, Johnson says. Add the milk and whip until blended. Melt butter in a pan, add eggs and scramble until they're the desired consistency. Stir in the cheese and seasonings and serve.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Up for a culinary adventure? How about trying some exotic iguana?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Florida gears up for annual 'Python Challenge' aimed at solving snake infestation: 'A great way to get people directly involved'
Preparations are underway for the latest annual event to combat a persistent invasive species in the Florida Everglades. Starting July 11, contestants will compete for cash prizes while helping control the population of Burmese pythons wreaking havoc on the ecosystem. The annual Florida Python Challenge is a 10-day event where contestants across eight designated hunting areas compete to capture the most pythons. As the Tampa Free Press reported, last year's event saw 195 invasive snakes removed, bringing the total of all events to date to 1,112. In addition to the grand cash prize ($10,000), there are prizes for runners-up and the longest python. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the 2024 winner bagged an impressive 20 snakes. Burmese pythons are an invasive species that first came to the Sunshine State as exotic pets that escaped or were released into the wild by irresponsible homeowners, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Invasive species harm an ecosystem by outcompeting native species for resources. The Burmese python's immense size, longevity, and fertility make it a serious problem for the Everglades. They have absolutely devastated local mammal populations. A 2012 study estimated a 99% reduction in bobcats, opossums, and raccoons in areas where pythons infest. The initiative is one of several novel community-based approaches to tackling invasive species and a great example of taking local action. While some invasive species make for tasty dishes, pythons shouldn't be consumed due to their dangerous mercury levels. Of course, there are less adventurous but no less valuable ways to combat invasive species and protect local biodiversity. Better yet, they involve very little effort and can even save money in the long run. Gardening with native plants and rewilding your yard are suitable for crucial pollinators and require less water and fewer harmful chemicals. The 2025 Florida Python Challenge is shaping up to be the biggest yet. "The Python Challenge is a great way to get people directly involved in the protection and stewardship of the Everglades," the fantastically named "Alligator Ron" Bergeron, a South Florida Water Management District Governing Board member, told the Tampa Bay Free Press. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Rangers capture large South American lizard in Santa Clara County park
The Brief Park staff located and captured an Argentine black and white tegu lizard that had been spotted in Joseph D. Grant Community Park last week. Tegus tend to eat bird eggs, small birds, small lizards and various "small mammals and invertebrates." However, they are also docile and are generally not dangerous to humans. SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. - Park rangers on Thursday captured an Argentine black and white tegu lizard that was spotted in Joseph D. Grant County Park last week. The Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department staffers spotted the animal on the Grant Lake dam on Thursday morning and were able to capture it shortly after. The department first announced that park personnel were on the lookout for the non-native lizard on June 6, after hikers reported spotting the animal. Large but docile According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the lizards are endemic to Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Uruguay and northern Argentina. The animals grow up to four feet in length and can weigh upwards of 10 pounds. Tegu lizards eat the eggs of birds that nest on the ground as well as other reptiles. They also consumer chicken eggs, fruit, vegetables and small live animals. Tegu lizards are generally docile and not dangerous to humans. "They're a popular pet and don't belong in parks," the Santa Clara County Parks Department said in a statement. The captured tegu will be held by Santa Clara County Animal Services pending adoption, should no rightful owner step forward to claim the reptile.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Fed-up resident fights back against invasive iguanas using special rifle: 'I have some skills and some tools to help eradicate this problem'
An admirer of the owl family that found shelter and nesting in the burrow hole next door, John Johnson was perturbed when he saw an iguana climbing out of the very same owl hole while the owl parents "were screeching and divebombing it," per a Palm Beach Post report. Divebombing is a defensive behavior owls may exhibit when defending their nest or young, according to Seven Days. This could only mean one thing for the parents: Their eggs or baby owls were in danger. The owl family put up a tough fight against their intruder, but the deed had already been done. The owls eventually surrendered their nest and fled to find a new home. This incident fueled a fire within Johnson, who learned that iguanas had no natural predators on Marco Island, Florida. In fact, black spiny-tailed iguanas and green iguanas are persistent invasive species in the region. Female iguanas can lay up to 70 eggs every year, according to Focusing on Wildlife, which contributes to their rapid growth on the island. Iguanas tear up native plants and eat the eggs of gopher tortoises — one of the oldest living species on the planet, currently with a threatened or endangered conservation status. Black spiny-tailed iguanas will "eat almost anything they can get in their mouths," said Dr. Jerry Jackson, professor emeritus at Florida Gulf Coast University, per Palm Beach Post. So, Johnson created Down Goes Iguana, a family-run agency dedicated to hunting down iguanas in Florida, with a heavy concentration on the Marco Island region. He began operating with the blessing of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Using air guns like the .25 caliber Brocock Sniper XR, a short air rifle used for small game hunting or target practice, Johnson hunts down iguanas for both customers and the state, taking down a total of 730 iguanas in 2024. While Johnson recognizes that he may not be able to eliminate the invasive species from the island, he's making a valiant effort. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Invasive species disrupt local ecosystems, threatening native wildlife species and their habitats. Invasive plant species operate similarly, taking over land from native plant species and outcompeting the latter for nutrients and resources. Invasive species grow quickly and aggressively and can pose a great headache for homeowners looking to eliminate them from their lawns. You can limit the spread of invasive plant species in your lawn by planting more native plants to support the local ecosystem's balance. Native plant lawns attract pollinators, whose pollination services protect the food supply and provide food and shelter for local wildlife species. The best part is that native lawns are slower-growing and tend to require less water than lawns containing invasive plant species, saving you time and money on lawn maintenance and water bills. Buffalo grass and clover — both drought-resistant lawn options that require less frequent mowing — are alternative lawn replacement options that can save you time and money on yard work. Invasive species may be persistent, but not if humans can help it. "I'm … vested in the fact that this is not good and I have some skills and some tools to help eradicate this problem," Johnson said, per Palm Beach Post. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
