More than 5,000 invasive green iguanas were removed during Florida’s two-day exemption, which allowed residents to and visitors The cold-stunned reptiles were taken without a permit, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The state wildlife agency announced this week that 5,195 cold-stunned iguanas were collected and delivered to four designated FWC offices during South Florida’s record low temperatures on February 1 and 2.

“The removal of more than 5,000 exotic lizards in such a short period of time is due to the coordinated efforts of many staff across FWC’s multiple departments and offices, our partners and, of course, the many residents who took the time to collect and turn in cold-stunned iguanas from their properties,” FWC Executive Director Roger Young said at a Feb. 4 meeting in Tallahassee.

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The FWC said in a news release that a special provision of an executive order allows people to remove live cold-stunned iguanas from the wild without a permit for two days.

The FWC said that of the 5,195 iguanas collected, 3,882 were gathered at the FWC office in Sunrise, about 13 miles west of Fort Lauderdale.

Florida wildlife officials said a total of 5,195 iguanas were collected during a two-day exemption from state law requiring a permit to transport reptiles. (Joe Reddell/Getty Images)

An additional 1,075 samples were collected at the FWC site in Tequesta, about 24 miles north of West Palm Beach.

215 iguanas were collected at release sites in the Florida Keys and 23 were captured in Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast.

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FWC staff work to coordinate the transfer of collected iguanas to permit holders, including out-of-state sales. According to the FWC, any reptiles that cannot be transferred to a permit holder are humanely killed by trained staff.

green iguana They are a prohibited species in the Sunshine State due to their “negative impact on Florida’s environment and economy,” Young said.

Green iguanas are an invasive reptile and a prohibited species in Florida because of their “negative impact” on the environment. (iStock)

Because iguanas are an invasive species in Florida, humane killing Trespassing on personal property is not protected unless protected by state anti-cruelty laws.

“If you encounter a frozen green iguana, never bring it into your home or building to keep it warm,” the FWC news release said.

When temperatures drop, iguanas lose the ability to move their muscles.

“Iguanas recover from cold stuns faster than you think, and once they recover, they can act defensively, with long tails that can whip, and sharp teeth and claws.”

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low temperature Temperatures in Miami reached 35 degrees on February 1, while West Palm Beach saw a low of 30 degrees, breaking the previous record for that date set in 1909, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the FWC, green iguanas were first reported in South Florida in the 1960s.

When temperatures drop, they lose the ability to move muscles and are Known to fall from treeslooks dead. But they are still very active and in a state of paralysis or torpor.

When temperatures drop, frozen green iguanas fall from trees. (Joe Reddell/Getty Images)

Many Floridians take advantage of the region Rare winter ice Rounding up the nuisance reptiles that can damage people’s property and “leave feces on docks, moored boats, seawalls, porches, decks, pool decks and inside swimming pools.”

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“In cleared habitats such as canal banks and clearings, green iguanas inhabit caves, culverts, drainage pipes, and rock or debris piles,” the FWC said.

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“South Florida’s vast man-made canals serve as ideal dispersal corridors, further allowing iguanas to colonize new areas.”

The FWC no longer accepts live iguanas from the public, the organization said.