Iguanas are not native to Florida but there is a thriving population of pets \u2013 and their descendants \u2013 released into the wild by irresponsible owners.<\/p>\n
Some have suggested that now would be an opportune moment to cull the invasive South American species, which many view as a pest.<\/p>\n
But Mr Magill warned: “I knew of a gentleman who was collecting them all in the street and throwing them in the back of his station wagon.<\/p>\n
“All of a sudden as he\u2019s driving along these things are coming along, crawling on his back and almost caused a wreck.” <\/p>\n
Meanwhile off the Florida coast, hundreds of manatees have gathered in the warmer waters outside a power plant in Tampa Bay to keep out the chill.
\nRon Magill of Miami Metrozoo has a warning for those who find the iguanas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew of a gentleman who was collecting them off the street and throwing them in the back of his station wagon, and all of a sudden these things are coming alive, crawling on his back and almost caused a wreck,\u201d Magill said.<\/p>\n
The stories of \u201ckamikaze iguanas\u201d plummeting from trees were urban legends in Florida, but now have a plausible explanation. Link (with video)<\/p>\n