Florida Iguana Population Map 2025: Which Counties Have the Worst Infestations?

Not all Florida counties face equal iguana pressure. While South Florida battles massive established populations, other regions are just beginning to see these invasive reptiles arrive. Understanding your county's iguana risk level helps you prepare, prevent, and respond appropriately.

This comprehensive guide breaks down Florida's iguana situation county by county, helping you understand your local risk and connect with nearby removal professionals.

Interactive Risk Assessment Map

Understanding the Risk Levels

We've classified Florida's 67 counties into five risk categories based on:

• Established breeding population density
• Climate suitability
• Reported removal requests
• Professional provider activity
• County-level environmental factors

Risk Categories:

🔴 EXTREME RISK - Dense established populations, year-round breeding, severe property damage common 🟠 HIGH RISK - Large populations, rapid growth, professional removal recommended 🟡 MEDIUM RISK - Growing populations, seasonal activity, monitoring advised 🟢 LOW RISK - Isolated sightings, potential for establishment ⚪ MINIMAL RISK - Rare sightings, climate less suitable

South Florida: The Epicenter

Miami-Dade County 🔴 EXTREME RISK

Population Density: Highest in Florida (estimated 100,000+ iguanas)

Miami-Dade County serves as ground zero for Florida's iguana crisis. From the waterfront neighborhoods of Miami proper to the canal-lined streets of Coral Gables, from the agricultural zones of Homestead to the coastal properties of Key Biscayne, virtually every corner of the county faces significant iguana pressure. The suburban sprawl of Kendall and the tree-canopied residential communities of Pinecrest have become equally affected as populations spread inland.

The severity of Miami-Dade's iguana problem stems from a perfect storm of factors. As the original entry point for escaped and released pet iguanas decades ago, the county has endured generations of unchecked breeding. The year-round warm climate eliminates the cold-weather population controls that limit spread further north. Extensive canal systems crisscrossing the county create ideal iguana highways, allowing rapid population movement between neighborhoods. Adding fuel to the fire, the county's preference for lush, high-value tropical landscaping provides an endless buffet of hibiscus, orchids, and ornamental plants that iguanas find irresistible.

Property owners in Miami-Dade face average removal costs of $200-500 per visit, with 24/7 emergency services available throughout the county. The impact on waterfront properties has reached epidemic proportions, with seawall collapses occurring regularly as iguana burrows undermine structural integrity. Landscape damage has become so universal that restoration and prevention are now standard budget items for property owners. AC unit nesting happens with alarming frequency during breeding season, and pool contamination remains an ongoing battle for both residential and HOA properties.

Find Miami-Dade County iguana removal providers →

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Broward County 🔴 EXTREME RISK

Population Density: Second highest (estimated 75,000+ iguanas)

Broward County's estimated 75,000+ iguanas make it Florida's second-worst hotspot for invasive iguana populations. Fort Lauderdale's extensive canal neighborhoods and bustling downtown areas teem with these reptiles, while Hollywood's beach communities and Intracoastal properties provide perfect waterfront habitat. Pompano Beach waterfront homes, the ranch and farm areas of Davie, the residential communities of Plantation, and Weston's sprawling golf course developments all face mounting iguana pressure.

The county's severity stems from its geography and proximity to Miami-Dade's source population. The extensive Intracoastal Waterway system acts as an iguana superhighway, facilitating rapid north-south movement throughout the county. A dense network of residential canals provides perfect migration routes, allowing iguanas to colonize new neighborhoods with ease. The coastal microclimate maintains warm temperatures year-round, supporting continuous breeding activity. Throughout Broward, high-end tropical landscaping—installed at great expense by homeowners seeking that quintessential South Florida aesthetic—ironically creates an irresistible food source that draws iguanas in droves.

Property owners spend $200-475 per visit on average for professional removal services, with emergency providers offering 24/7 response in most areas. Canal-front properties face a particularly frustrating challenge: even after successful removal, iguanas from neighboring properties or upstream locations constantly re-invade via the waterways, making ongoing management a necessity rather than a one-time fix.

Find Broward County iguana removal providers →

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Palm Beach County 🔴 EXTREME RISK

Population Density: Third highest (estimated 50,000+ iguanas)

Palm Beach County's estimated 50,000+ iguanas represent the leading edge of South Florida's northward iguana expansion. West Palm Beach's waterfront and urban core experience heavy infestations, while Boca Raton's luxury communities and world-class golf courses have become unexpected iguana havens. Coastal Delray Beach properties battle constant pressure, and even Wellington's equestrian communities—far from the coast—have been surprisingly affected. Boynton Beach's Intracoastal properties and Jupiter's northern neighborhoods mark the current beachhead of extreme infestation zones.

The county's rapidly growing iguana problem reflects its position as the next frontier in northward expansion from Broward. Throughout Palm Beach, luxury properties feature exactly the type of high-end landscaping iguanas crave: expensive hibiscus specimens, prized orchid collections, and lush tropical plants that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars each. The county's golf course boom over the past two decades inadvertently created perfect iguana habitat, with over 50 courses now reporting significant problems. Canal systems connecting to southern populations provide easy migration routes. Ironically, the county's wealth accelerates the problem: affluent property owners have low tolerance for landscape destruction and property damage, creating high demand for professional removal services.

With average removal costs ranging from $225-500 per visit—the highest in the state—Palm Beach property owners pay premium prices for iguana management. Emergency services operate 24/7 in coastal areas, while inland properties typically receive next-day response.

Find Palm Beach County iguana removal providers →

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Monroe County (Florida Keys) 🔴 EXTREME RISK

Population Density: Very high per capita (estimated 20,000+)

Hotspot Areas:

• Key Largo (dense populations)
• Islamorada (canal properties)
• Marathon (residential communities)
• Big Pine Key (wildlife refuge concerns)
• Key West (urban populations)

Unique Challenges:

• Island ecosystem (nowhere for iguanas to go)
• Endangered species habitat (ecological concern)
• Limited providers (island access)
• Hurricane risk (storm surge compounds burrow damage)
• Saltwater exposure (seawall damage accelerated)

Average Removal Costs: $250-600 (island premium pricing)

Ecological Concern: Competition with native Key Largo woodrat (endangered)

Emergency Service: Limited, mostly next-day

Find Florida Keys iguana removal providers →

Southwest Florida: Rapid Expansion Zone

Collier County 🟠 HIGH RISK

Population Density: High and growing (estimated 25,000+)

Hotspot Cities:

• Naples (luxury waterfront communities)
• Marco Island (canal properties)
• Golden Gate (suburban expansion)
• Immokalee (agricultural areas)

Growth Trajectory: Population doubled in last 5 years

Average Removal Costs: $175-400

Why It's Spreading:

• Coastal migration from Miami-Dade
• Golf course communities (100+ courses)
• Abundant canal systems
• Year-round warm climate
• Luxury landscaping (food sources)

Find Collier County iguana removal providers →

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Lee County 🟠 HIGH RISK

Population Density: High (estimated 20,000+)

Hotspot Cities:

• Fort Myers (coastal neighborhoods, downtown)
• Cape Coral (extensive canal system - 400+ miles!)
• Sanibel Island (residential properties)
• Estero (growing communities)
• Bonita Springs (waterfront)

Cape Coral Special Note: The most canal-heavy city in America is iguana paradise. Waterfront properties face constant pressure.

Average Removal Costs: $175-425

Emergency Service: Available in Fort Myers and Cape Coral

Find Lee County iguana removal providers →

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Charlotte County 🟡 MEDIUM RISK

Population Density: Moderate (estimated 8,000+)

Hotspot Areas:

• Punta Gorda (canal properties)
• Port Charlotte (waterfront developments)
• Englewood Beach (coastal areas)

Trend: Northward expansion, populations growing 30-40% annually

Average Removal Costs: $150-350

Find Charlotte County iguana removal providers →

Treasure Coast: Emerging Hotspot

Martin County 🟠 HIGH RISK

Population Density: High and accelerating (estimated 15,000+)

Hotspot Cities:

• Stuart (St. Lucie River properties)
• Jensen Beach (coastal communities)
• Hobe Sound (waterfront estates)
• Palm City (residential)

Concern: Bridge between Palm Beach and northern expansion

Average Removal Costs: $200-425

Find Martin County iguana removal providers →

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St. Lucie County 🟡 MEDIUM-HIGH RISK

Population Density: Growing (estimated 10,000+)

Hotspot Cities:

• Port St. Lucie (residential communities)
• Fort Pierce (waterfront, urban)
• Hutchinson Island (beach properties)

Trend: 40% annual population growth (fastest in state)

Average Removal Costs: $175-375

Find St. Lucie County iguana removal providers →

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Indian River County 🟡 MEDIUM RISK

Population Density: Moderate (estimated 5,000+)

Hotspot Areas:

• Vero Beach (coastal properties)
• Sebastian (residential)

Average Removal Costs: $150-325

Central Florida: Isolated Pockets

Orange County 🟢 LOW-MEDIUM RISK

Population Density: Low but growing (estimated 2,000+)

Hotspot Areas:

• Orlando (isolated neighborhoods, often near canals)
• Winter Park (luxury properties with tropical landscaping)
• Dr. Phillips (high-end communities)

Why Still Limited:

• Inland location (slower spread)
• Colder winter nights (occasional freezes)
• Less canal connectivity

Average Removal Costs: $150-300

Trend: Increasing sightings, especially in warmer microclimates

Find Orange County iguana removal providers →

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Polk County 🟢 LOW RISK

Population Density: Very low (estimated 500+)

Hotspot Areas:

• Lakeland (isolated sightings)
• Winter Haven (canal chain areas)

Why Limited: Inland location, colder winters

Average Removal Costs: $150-275 (when needed)

West Coast: Tampa Bay Region

Hillsborough County 🟢 LOW-MEDIUM RISK

Population Density: Low to moderate (estimated 3,000+)

Hotspot Cities:

• Tampa (waterfront neighborhoods, especially South Tampa)
• Brandon (suburban growth areas)
• Plant City (isolated reports)

Why Not Worse:

• Winter cold snaps keep population in check
• Less canal connectivity to South Florida
• Some freeze events

Average Removal Costs: $150-325

Trend: Slow but steady increase in sightings

Find Hillsborough County iguana removal providers →

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Pinellas County 🟢 LOW RISK

Population Density: Low (estimated 1,500+)

Hotspot Areas:

• St. Petersburg (isolated sightings, waterfront)
• Clearwater (beach communities)

Why Limited:

• Cooler Gulf waters
• Occasional winter freezes
• Urban development (less suitable habitat)

Average Removal Costs: $150-300

Seasonal Variations by Region

Winter (December - February)

The winter months reveal stark differences between South and Central Florida's iguana populations. In Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties, iguanas remain active throughout the winter, their metabolism barely slowing in the mild temperatures. However, rare cold snaps below 50°F trigger the now-famous "falling iguana" phenomenon, where stunned reptiles lose their grip on trees and plummet to the ground—creating both a public safety concern and an opportunity for easier capture while they're temporarily immobilized. During these cooler months, iguanas eat less, providing temporary relief from landscape destruction.

Further north in Central Florida, winter brings more dramatic impacts. Cold exposure significantly reduces iguana populations, with many individuals succumbing to sustained freezing temperatures. Survivors seek warmth wherever they can find it, often taking refuge in AC units and attics, creating new problems for property owners. The outdoor activity that plagues properties during warmer months subsides temporarily, offering residents a brief respite.

Spring (March - May)

When March arrives, iguana behavior transforms across all affected regions. Breeding season begins in earnest, and male iguanas become highly territorial and aggressive—a dramatic shift from their typically docile winter demeanor. Human-iguana conflicts spike as territorial males defend their claimed spaces, sometimes charging at perceived threats. This is also peak time for landscape damage, as iguanas voraciously consume new plant growth emerging after winter dormancy.

Summer (June - August)

Summer intensifies every aspect of Florida's iguana problem. The May through July nesting season brings frantic burrow activity as pregnant females excavate elaborate nest chambers beneath seawalls, foundations, and pool decks. By late summer, eggs begin hatching, triggering the annual population boom that ensures next year's problem will be worse than this year's. Despite scorching heat that sends most wildlife into shade, iguanas remain highly active, feeding constantly to support egg production and growth.

Fall (September - November)

Fall marks a transitional period where juvenile iguanas from the summer hatch begin dispersing from their natal areas, colonizing new properties and neighborhoods. Adult iguanas sense the approaching winter and increase their feeding dramatically, building fat reserves to sustain them through cooler months ahead. For property owners and pest control professionals, fall represents the optimal window for population control efforts—reducing numbers before the breeding season begins again in spring can prevent the exponential growth that makes iguana problems so difficult to manage.

Climate Change Impact on Distribution

Current Trends

Florida's warming climate is fundamentally reshaping iguana distribution patterns. Winter temperatures have gradually increased over the past two decades, and this warming trend is accelerating northern range expansion. Counties like Brevard and Volusia, which once experienced regular freezes that would kill iguanas, now see established breeding populations surviving mild winters. The frequency of freeze events that historically limited northward spread has decreased dramatically, removing one of the few natural controls on iguana populations.

Simultaneously, sea level rise is forcing coastal iguana populations to adapt their behavior. As saltwater increasingly floods traditional low-lying burrow sites, iguanas have shifted to burrowing higher up seawalls and into elevated structures—ironically increasing the damage they cause to expensive waterfront infrastructure. Saltwater intrusion into soil and vegetation is creating new ecological challenges, but iguanas have proven remarkably adaptable to these changing conditions.

Future Predictions (2025-2035)

Looking ahead over the next decade, scientists and wildlife managers predict significant expansion of Florida's iguana problem based on climate modeling. With high confidence, experts expect Brevard County to transition to HIGH RISK status as Space Coast communities experience explosive population growth. Volusia County will likely establish dense, self-sustaining populations. Even inland Polk County should see significant increases, while Hillsborough County around Tampa will probably escalate to MEDIUM-HIGH RISK as warmer winters support year-round survival.

With medium confidence, predictions suggest Alachua County around Gainesville may see its first breeding populations establish within a decade. The Hernando and Citrus county areas north of Tampa will likely support growing populations, and isolated sightings along the coastal Panhandle will increase as iguanas probe northward and westward.

Less certain but still possible: the Jacksonville area could see occasional successful breeding by 2035, though most northern counties will likely remain relatively clear due to occasional hard freezes that still occur, albeit less frequently than in past decades.

Expected Northern Limit

Currently, the northern edge of extreme iguana infestation sits at approximately the northern Palm Beach County line for inland areas, with St. Lucie County marking the coastal limit. By 2030, projections suggest this line will shift north to Brevard County inland and Flagler County along the coast—a significant expansion of approximately 100 miles in just five years.

The ultimate northern limit remains climate-dependent. If Florida's winters continue their warming trend without significant cold snaps, breeding populations could establish as far north as Jacksonville by 2040, bringing iguana problems to Northeast Florida communities that have never experienced them before. This potential expansion would affect millions of additional residents and billions of dollars in property value.

How to Use This Map

For Homeowners

1. Find your county's risk level above

2. Assess your property:

   • Do you have features iguanas love? (canals, tropical plants, docks)
   • Have you seen iguanas nearby?
   • Is your neighborhood on a canal or waterway?

3. Take action based on risk:

   • EXTREME/HIGH: Implement prevention now, monitor monthly
   • MEDIUM: Learn prevention, monitor quarterly
   • LOW: Be aware, know what to look for

4. Find local providers: Use county-specific links above

For HOA Boards

1. Determine community risk:

   • County risk level
   • Proximity to water
   • Landscape attractiveness
   • Neighboring community reports

2. Plan accordingly:

   • EXTREME: Need ongoing contract (view our HOA RFP guide)
   • HIGH: Quarterly assessments minimum
   • MEDIUM: Annual assessment, be ready to act
   • LOW: Monitor and educate residents

3. Budget planning:

   • Use average costs by county
   • Plan for escalation as populations grow
   • Consider preventive vs. reactive costs

For Property Buyers/Real Estate

Due diligence by county:

EXTREME RISK counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe):

• Inspect seawalls closely (burrow damage = $20K-50K to repair)
• Look for landscape damage (plant loss, burrows)
• Ask about current iguana presence
• Factor $1,500-3,000/year removal into costs
• Check if HOA has iguana management contract

HIGH RISK counties:

• Ask sellers about iguana history
• Inspect waterfront areas
• Budget $800-2,000/year for potential removal

MEDIUM/LOW RISK counties:

• Be aware but not alarmed
• Know what to look for
• Understand costs if they arrive

Connect with Local Providers

Every county link above connects you to licensed, insured iguana removal professionals serving your specific area. Our provider directory includes:

✅ Licensed professionals (learn about licensing requirements) ✅ Insurance verification ($1M+ liability coverage) ✅ Customer reviews and ratings ✅ Emergency availability (where applicable) ✅ Pricing transparency (view typical costs)

Browse all Florida iguana removal providers →

Conclusion

Florida's iguana problem is highly geographic. While South Florida battles entrenched populations, other regions face emerging threats. Understanding your county's risk level helps you:

• Prepare appropriately (prevention for high-risk areas)
• Budget realistically (costs vary by region)
• Respond quickly (early intervention is cheaper)
• Find local help (county-specific providers)

Key Takeaways:

🔴 If you're in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, or Monroe: You need professional help now. These aren't isolated iguanas—they're breeding populations.

🟠 If you're in Collier, Lee, Martin, or St. Lucie: Act before it gets worse. Early prevention saves thousands.

🟡 If you're in medium-risk counties: Monitor closely. You're next if populations continue spreading.

🟢 If you're in low-risk areas: Stay informed. Climate change and northward expansion mean your risk is increasing.

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Next Steps:

1. Learn about prevention strategies
2. Understand removal methods
3. Get cost estimates
4. Find providers in your county

Your county's iguana population isn't getting smaller on its own. Take action before one becomes one hundred.