How Far North Do Iguanas Live In Florida?
They’ve been spotted as far north as Tallahassee.
Are Florida iguanas making a new home up north?
Green iguanas are well established in Florida’s warm southern and coastal regions. But just how far north do these invasive reptiles go? Historically, green iguanas were limited to Miami and the Florida Keys, but their range has slowly expanded northward in recent years. Warmer winters, human transport, and urban habitats with canals and tropical landscaping have helped them spread. Understanding where iguanas live is critical for Florida homeowners, landscapers, and local communities to distinguish between temporary stray sightings and self sustaining populations.
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Where Invasive Iguanas Populations Are Established In Florida
South Florida is the stronghold of green iguanas. Permanent breeding populations are found throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe Counties, and the Florida Keys. These areas offer year round warmth, abundant vegetation, water sources, and structures like trees, seawalls, and canals; perfect for climbing, hiding, and nesting. Homeowners often spot iguanas in yards, on patios, or lounging in shady areas on rooftops, frequently near plants that may end up being eaten or destroyed.
As you move north, iguana sightings become less frequent and increasingly dependent on climate. On the East Coast, stable populations extend up to Brevard County, including cities such as Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, and Titusville. Iguanas favor coastal corridors because the Atlantic Ocean moderates temperatures and provides waterways for dispersal. This is why you’re way more likely to see iguanas in Cocoa Beach than inland at places like Disney World.
On Florida’s West Coast, populations reach Manatee and Pinellas Counties, including Sarasota and St. Petersburg, though cooler Gulf temperatures and patchier habitats make these populations less dense. Homeowners north of the Orlando Tampa line may still encounter iguanas during warm months, but winter cold usually prevents permanent populations from forming.
Northernmost Confirmed Iguana Sightings in Florida
Recent reports indicate iguanas occasionally venture beyond their established ranges. The northernmost confirmed sightings include St. Augustine (St. Johns County), with isolated reports in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and even Pensacola. Most sightings are single animals, not groups or a mess of iguanas. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) lists sightings in Alachua, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, and St. Lucie Counties as well.
EDDMapS, a web-based mapping system for invasive species, lists green iguanas sightings in 46 of Florida’s 67 counties, with over 11,500 reports to date. With the rate that they’re spreading, it a has lead to a real Florida iguana problem. While not all of these confirmed iguana sightings indicate a new population, it’s still it’s crazy to see how many places across the state they’ve been.
Do Iguanas Actually Live in North Florida?
Even though green iguanas have been spotted as far north as Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Pensacola, it doesn’t mean they actually live there. These northern sightings almost always involve a single stray, usually an escaped or illegally released pet, or an accidental stowaway on a truck or in plant shipments. For a population to truly “live” somewhere, they must survive multiple winters and successfully reproduce. So far, there are no established, breeding populations north of the Orlando–Tampa corridor. Anything beyond that line is considered temporary or accidental, not a new northern habitat.
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Why Iguanas Rarely Survive North of Orlando
Green iguanas thrive in warm, humid areas with water, vegetation, and climbable structures. Coastal regions benefit from slightly milder winter temperatures than inland zones at the same latitude. In Central and Northern Florida, cold snaps can trigger cold stun events, limiting the formation of breeding populations. Temporary iguanas may appear anywhere, but only those that survive multiple winters qualify as “established.”
Iguanas Hate the Cold
Iguanas are tropical reptiles and are highly sensitive to cold. When temperatures fall below 50°F (10°C), they become sluggish and immobile, and struggle to find food or escape predators. Prolonged exposure under 40°F (4°C) is often fatal. The phenomenon of falling iguanas occurs during these cold snaps, when cold stunned iguanas fall from trees, roofs, or other elevated surfaces. Mass die offs have been documented even in South Florida, including Miami during the 2020–2021 cold fronts.
Limited Shelter & Movement
South Florida counties like Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach are ideal for iguanas because they have extensive canals, landscaped areas, storm drains, and urban structures. These features allow iguanas to travel, find water, hide from predators, and reproduce with virtually no threat. In contrast, Central and Northern Florida have fewer canals, fewer tropical landscapes, and more open or colder inland areas, making long term survival and breeding much harder.
Breaking the 1-4 Barrier
Experts consider the Orlando–Tampa corridor as the unofficial northern limit for self sustaining iguanas in Florida. South of this line, the Florida winters are warm enough for iguanas to survive year round and reproduce. North of it, cold snaps are stronger and more frequent, and the temperatures drop below what iguanas can handle on their own.
What to do if you see an unwanted iguana in Florida
If you spot an iguana on your property, in your yard, or even worse: iguanas in your pool, the most important thing to do is to keep your distance. Green iguanas can be aggressive if they feel threatened. They could bite, scratch or try to whip you with their tail, so handling them yourself is risky. Make sure pets and children are kept away from them, and avoid feeding the iguana, as this can cause it to return repeatedly. (And bring it’s friends!) Additionally, you can report the sighting to a citizen-science platform (like EDDMapS). These reports help scientists and wildlife managers track the spread of invasive iguanas across Florida and identify areas where populations are growing.
If the iguana continues to visit your property, you’ll want to plan for ongoing prevention. Learn more about humane repellents and other tools to trap iguanas that can reduce repeat visits. If you want a clear plan for keeping iguanas out of your yard, our Iguana Control Guide breaks everything down step by step so you know exactly what to do next. It covers the methods that work best in Florida neighborhoods and helps you stay ahead of future problems before they start.
FAQs Where iguanas live in Florida
How far north in Florida do iguanas go?
The farthest north confirmed green iguana sightings reported on the news, were found in St. Augustine (St. Johns County) in August 2024. According to EDDMapS, a handful of iguanas were reported in Tallahassee, Jacksonville and even Pensacola! These cases are isolated, but they show how accidental transport and mild winters can temporarily push iguanas beyond their normal range.
Do iguanas live in Orlando or Central Florida?
Yes, but populations are unstable. Central Florida’s heat retaining urban areas (like Orlando, Kissimmee, and along the I-4 corridor) can sustain small groups temporarily. But a single deep freeze, usually eliminates them. The Orlando region represents the transition zone between established and unsustainable iguana populations.
Where do iguanas live in Florida?
The strongest, longest established iguana populations are found in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and the Florida Keys. These areas provide the heat, vegetation, and shelter iguanas rely on. Outside of South Florida, iguanas are occasionally spotted farther north, including parts of Central Florida (Orlando area, Space Coast, Tampa Bay). These northern sightings are usually isolated reports, not stable, self sustaining populations, because winter temperatures drop below what iguanas can tolerate long term.
Why does Miami have so many iguanas?
Miami-Dade has hundreds of miles of engineered canals. Originally dug for drainage, flood control, and development, these canals offer exposed banks, sunbathing ledges, culverts, seawalls, and vegetation; all perfect for basking, nesting, and transportation routes. These canals run through Miami, Kendall, Cutler Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, Homestead, The Redland, Doral, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, North Miami and North Miami Beach.
Are iguanas bad for Florida?
Yes, iguanas are an invasive species that are harmful to Florida’s overall ecosystem. Since they are not native, they compete with native species for food and space. Known to burrow under sidewalks, foundations, and seawalls the repairs needed to fix the damage can be major. They also eat any juicy and leafy plant (like hibiscus or mangoes) leaving gardens and yards wrecked. Iguanas multiple fast, and are growing at a rapid rate, which is why they are not protected by the FWC.
What is the Florida I-4 corridor in relation to iguanas?
Florida’s I-4 corridor is the stretch of central Florida connected by Interstate 4, running from Tampa on the west coast to Daytona Beach on the east coast. It passes straight through Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lakeland. It unofficially indicates the northern boundary between “warm enough for iguanas” and “too cold for long term survival.” The long, urbanized band across the middle of the state where millions of people live, commute, and work is known for theme parks, suburbs, business hubs, and dense development.
