John Riddle, a Florida resident, had quite the surprise last week when he found an iguana in his toilet bowl. The Mexican spiny-tailed iguana had entered his house through an open door and had attempted to crawl into the toilet pipes, leaving its tail sticking out. Riddle managed to lure the reptile out of his home using a strainer, and it ran off into his backyard.
While the incident may seem humorous at first, it highlights the serious issue of invasive species in Florida. Imported through the pet trade, iguanas like the one found in Riddle’s home pose a threat to the state’s burrowing owls. The iguanas will take shelter in the owls’ burrows and displace them, leading to a program to trap and remove the invasive species from owl-inhabited areas.
This is not the first time Florida has had problems with invasive iguanas. The common green iguana and black spiny-tailed iguana are both non-native species that have been thriving in Florida. Additionally, the temperature in Florida can cause some of these reptiles to freeze and fall out of trees during the colder months of the year.
The presence of non-native species can disrupt ecosystems and cost millions of dollars to mitigate. While Riddle’s encounter with the iguana may seem like a scene out of “Jurassic Park,” it serves as a reminder of the impact invasive species can have on the environment.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, non-native species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. They can displace native species and disrupt natural ecosystems, leading to lowered biodiversity and potential economic losses.
In addition to the threat to burrowing owls, invasive iguanas in Florida have been known to eat garden crops, damage infrastructure, and spread disease. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission encourages residents to not release non-native species into the wild and to report any sightings of invasive reptiles.
As for John Riddle, he now keeps his doors closed to prevent any further unwanted visitors in his home.
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