2025 Rule Change for Green Iguanas and Tegus
Green iguanas are a Prohibited species in Florida due to the high risk they pose to Florida's environment and economy. To maintain protection for Florida's native wildlife resources, staff made recommendations to Commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in May 2025 to allow and activate more Floridians to sell wild-caught, invasive green iguanas out-of-state. Commissioners approved staff recommendations during the May 2025 Commission meeting to make changes to Chapter 68-5, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). In addition to activating more collection of wild-caught, green iguanas, these changes create an allowance for the transfer of live green iguanas to permit holders who are authorized to sell live green iguanas out-of-state; streamline the process for Prohibited species pet permit applications; increase options for FWC Law Enforcement to place Prohibited species; and define "transshipment".
More Information on 2025 Rule Changes
Frequently Asked Questions
The goals of the changes are to allow and activate more Floridians to collect live, invasive green iguanas in the state, as well as to create an allowance for transfer of live green iguanas to permit holders who are authorized to sell live green iguanas out-of-state. The changes will also identify reasonable ways to ensure accountability and compliance, produce a streamlines process for Prohibited species pet permit applications, increase options for FWC Law Enforcement to place Prohibited species, and maintain protection for Florida's native wildlife. A definition for "transshipment" was also developed.
Prohibited species pose a high risk to Florida's ecology, economy or human health and safety. Prohibited species may only be possessed for research, following approval of a research plan, and for public exhibition by qualifying facilities. Prohibited species may also be possessed for eradication and control activities by permitted entities and in some cases, by permit holders with authorization to sell green iguanas or tegus. Additionally, limited exceptions allow some people to keep Prohibited green iguanas or tegus as personal pets with a no-cost permit if the animal was possessed prior to its listing as Prohibited and permittee meets biosecurity, PIT tagging, and caging requirements in rule and documentation is provided that proves prior possession.
Additional regulations restrict the importation, possession and transfer of certain Prohibited species.
In March 2025, the FWC hosted six, virtual public meetings – divided amongst two series - to obtain feedback on the following concepts:
Series 1 Topics:
- Sales of Wild-Caught Green Iguanas in Florida
- Qualifications for sales of green iguanas
- When qualifying entities can apply for a permit
- Transfer of Sales Permits to Spouse, Beneficiary, or New Business Owner
- Transfer Allowances for Eradication/Control Permit Holders to Prohibited Species Sales Permit Holders
- Batch Marking Wild-Caught Green Iguanas
Power Point Presentation for Series 1 Presentation
Series 2 Topics:
- Prohibited Species Pet Permit Renewals
- Caging Requirements for Juvenile Tegus or Green Iguanas
- Options for FWC Law Enforcement Placement of Prohibited Species
- Conditional or Prohibited Species Cannot be Imported into Florida for Personal Use
Power Point Presentation for Series 2 Presentation
Based on public comments received during these meetings and via email / webform, staff made substantial revisions of the initial proposals and presented these revised proposals to the FWC Commissioners in May 2025. The Commissioners unanimously approved these proposed rule changes.
The virtual public meetings held in March 2025 may be viewed below.
Series 1 Meetings
- Tuesday, March 25 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. EST
- Wednesday, March 26 from 6-8 p.m. EST
- Saturday, March 29 from 1-3 p.m. EST
Series 2 Meetings
- Thursday, March 27 from 1-3 p.m. EST
- Thursday, March 27 from 6-8 p.m. EST
- Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. EST
*Note: Meetings of the same series number cover the same content. For example, if you watch a meeting listed in Series 1, the information presented by FWC staff will be the same as another meeting in that series.
We have additional information and FAQ pages set up for the following topics:
Green Iguana Collection and Sales
Other Changes for Nonnative Species
If you still have questions, you can reach us at NonnativeSpeciesRules@MyFWC.com or NonnativePermitApps@MyFWC.com.