The New Floridian
by Spadecaller
Title
The New Floridian
Artist
Spadecaller
Medium
Digital Art - Digital & Photographic Art
Description
The pet trade introduced green iguanas into the wild in the 60’s. Some escaped and some were intentionally released by their owners. These iguanas survived and now thrive in their new home, Florida. While they can sometimes be destructive to the environment and can cause damage to property, poisoning, freezing, and drowning them is inhumane. Decapitating, stabbing them in the brain, and shooting them with pellet guns are legal and currently recommended. While considered an invasive species, there are better ways to control their detrimental impact.
Unfortunately, Iguanas are often blamed unfairly. Although some power outages have occurred from lizards straddling the powerlines, most power outages are caused by squirrels. These furry rascals often break into substations in search of shelter from inclement weather. In addition, squirrels are responsible for far more damage to private homes, as well. They are well known for nesting in attics and garages - damaging wooden structures. It seems that reptiles do not garner the affection mammals illicit in us.
Iguanas do not handle the cold too well and will go into a state of dormancy during cold snaps. Local Miami citizens get quite upset when they fall out of the trees. A few people have reported getting bludgeoned by a falling iguana. In addition, Iguanas are blamed for carrying salmonella. While this is true, all reptiles, turtles, and snakes carry salmonella. Nonetheless, this is not justification for killing them.
There are many other ways of mitigating the adverse effects that iguanas cause. Wash your hands if you come into contact with them. Avoid creating thickets and overgrown landscapes. Pick up fruit that may fall from trees in the yard. Patch up holes in the attic or in the foundation to keep them from seeking nesting places.
The only real solution is regulating the pet trade and prohibiting the sale of pythons and lizards in states with warm climates. Regrettably, the horse is out of the barn and there is no going back. The green iguana is here to stay; it is the new Floridian.
“The New Floridian” is a hand-painted digital image and photo composite created in Spadecaller’s Florida Studio on 8/17/2023.
Uploaded
August 17th, 2023
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