Local Wildlife

This page last edited on

01 August, 2008

Local Wildlife

I wonder if the adult iguana to the left is one of the parents of the hatchings in my yards. Prior to Hurricane Wilma who blew in on October 24, 2005, I had not seen any feral iguanas in my neighborhood. I have lived here since January 1995 which is a long time. Shortly after the hurricane I saw one run across a major street near my house. A few months later, the one pictured to the left showed up for several hours, lying on the top of my fence in the tortoise pen. On 07/20/2006, I saw for the first time two iguana hatchlings in the font yard. All video and pictures were taken from inside my front bedroom window.

At first I thought I only had two hatchlings, then I saw three at one time, then four, then six! Like the curly tail lizards they travel back and forth between the front and back yards. When I go outside I usually see them because they are pretty much running around the yards. Most of the time they stop long enough for me to get within a few feet of them. They will listen to me talk to them a bit and then they climb up a palm tree or go into the avocado tree. They are now helping themselves to lettuce and fruit in the tortoise pen. I have even been in the pen when one came to eat and he didn't leave for quite some time. I think that over time they will become more used to me and may not run away so fast. I feel more than blessed and honored to have them here and hope they continue to make a home here at Diane's Zoo. I hope that you enjoy seeing them a sliver as much as I enjoy having them here with me! Enjoy!

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UPDATE! March 9, 2007

Since Thanksgiving week 2006 we have had some pretty cold weather for south Florida on and off and I was worried about the feral iguanas. Since Thanksgiving week I had only seen them a few times but then on March 6 I finally saw this one basking on top of the alamanda plant and thorny palm trees. Then the next day it was there as well and then next day too! I'm hoping it will continue to make Diane's Zoo it's home! I have seen two at one time so at least two of the six are still around. On Tuesday, March 13 for the first time I was able to HOLD one of the iguanas! It was one of the coolest moments of my life!!! I got a little close to it on the palm tree where it was basking so it jumped down and into the pond. I couldn't believe how fast it swam to the other end where I found it on the surface trying to get out. I picked it up and held it for several minutes. It didn't even try to bit me. Then I put it back in the palm tree but if fell down and went back in the pond when I tried to approach it. So I picked it up again and held for a bit and then made sure it would stay in the palm tree when I put it back. Shortly thereafter, it left the tree and I haven't seen it since. Apparently it wasn't too happy about being picked up but I am pretty sure it will come back. I just need to leave it alone so it will feel "safe." Too bad because it would have been really cool and fun to hand feed them.

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DISCLAIMER: This website was set up to SHARE my OWN experience with my reptiles, guinea pigs, ponds/fish, gardens and local wildlife and to post pictures and video of them. It was NOT SET UP to offer my opinion or expertise on ANY QUESTION that I am asked and what I post on this website should not be taken as "EXPERT ADVISE" or how to take care of reptiles, guinea pigs, ponds/fish, gardens or local wildlife. I AM NOT A REPTILE RESCUE GROUP, GUINEA PIG RESCUE GROUP, VETERINARIAN, REPTILE EXPERT, GUINEA PIG EXPERT, PONDS/FISH EXPERT, GARDEN EXPERT OR WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR! I have limited experience with reptiles, guinea pigs, local wildlife, ponds/fish and gardens, therefore, I am NOT QUALIFIED to give out advise or answer questions and you, as a visitor to this website, should not take anything on this website as expert advise or accurate information. I present this website for fun and fun only - NOT as a reference website to instruct anyone on how to properly take care of reptiles, guinea pigs, local wildlife, ponds/fish or gardens. I share how I DO THINGS for my reptiles, guinea pigs, local wildlife, ponds/fish and gardens and this is not intended for others to take as expert advise or to mimic. Furthermore, my political views are my own and not intended to offend, annoy, hurt or demean any person, entity or organization. I express my views as an American who has the right to free speech under the Constitution of the United States of America. Please feel free to set up your own website and express your views, post your pictures and video and share with the rest of us in cyberspace what your little corner of the world is like. Thank you very much for your kind understanding in appreciating the value and contents of this website.

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