[INeedAChange]

Is it advisable to take one of Florida's many abandoned iguanas as a pet, or are they too wild at heart to be tamed?

[riveree]

Be careful - the big ones can give you a bad bite and can scratch you pretty severely too.

I think there can also be some potential health issues. I'm not sure if it's salmonella that they can carry (isn't that what some turtles can have?)?

I haven't seen any feral iguanas here in Jax yet, but I know they are becoming an issue for other parts of Florida...they are invasive.

[Mike Peterson]

Originally Posted by riveree

Be careful - the big ones can give you a bad bite and can scratch you pretty severely too.

I think there can also be some potential health issues. I'm not sure if it's salmonella that they can carry (isn't that what some turtles can have?)?

I haven't seen any feral iguanas here in Jax yet, but I know they are becoming an issue for other parts of Florida...they are invasive.

You probably won't see them in Jax. WPB would probably be as far north as you would see them. The cold in winter would kill them.

[Prichard]

Just track a female to her nest, steal some eggs, put them in an incubator and raise them from babies. Less health issues and "attack" issues.

[Ceejnoodlepuff]

I have a wild ig and he's the sweetest thing! He was caught at a young age,though, and even then took almost a year to settle down. If you do catch an iguana get one that's no longer than 6'' in body length or you'll have little chance in keeping it (and yourself!) happy and safe. Mine was only 4'', no more than a few months old, and he was tough to socialize. the younger the better.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by Mike Peterson

You probably won't see them in Jax. WPB would probably be as far north as you would see them. The cold in winter would kill them.

I've seen them in Stuart.