Florida Keys Resident Turns Invasive Iguanas into Dinner Delicacy

KEY WEST, FL – A local resident in the Florida Keys has garnered attention for his unique approach to managing the region's invasive green iguana population: catching and cooking the reptiles for dinner. Gray Davis, known for his online content, recently documented his process, beginning with the capture of an iguana in the Florida Keys. On a day described as "pretty cold and windy," Davis explained that these conditions make the typically agile iguanas "sluggish and slow," facilitating their capture. He was seen navigating a boat through mangroves, successfully retrieving an iguana after several attempts. "Even when they're slow, though, they're still pretty quick and hard to catch," Davis remarked in his video, highlighting the challenge involved. Upon returning home, Davis demonstrated the preparation of the iguana meat. The reptile was boiled with garlic, then deboned and shredded. He then combined the meat with rice, chicken stock, and a medley of chopped vegetables including tomatoes, shallots, green onions, and a Scotch bonnet pepper, seasoned with salt and pepper. The resulting dish, which he called "iguana stir-fry," was sampled on camera. Davis described the finished meal as "pretty good," though he noted the Scotch bonnet pepper added significant heat. "If I were going to make this again, I definitely would only add half of the hot pepper because that one was really hot," he advised. He concluded by encouraging viewers to consider trying iguana themselves, stating, "But as far as everything else, I think it's really good. I would make that again." The initiative sheds light on the ecological challenges posed by invasive species and offers an unconventional, yet practical, method for their control.

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Green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida. One TikTok user demonstrates how to catch one and make an iguana stir-fry.