A Florida man who goes by the nickname “Cuban Tarzan” says he just landed one of the biggest green iguanas ever seen in the state.
According to the Miami New-Times, Andrew Morales, who is known in South Florida for tracking and removing invasive animals, posted photos on Instagram of himself holding the giant reptile.
The image shows the iguana stretching nearly the length of his body, with a tail that looks longer than most full-grown specimens people are used to spotting in parks or backyards.
“I hope you let Godzilla Live! That dude has been around for a while, deserves to live!” one commenter joked, while another called Morales “the iguana rizzler.”
Although Morales claimed the catch was a record-breaker, there’s no official database in Florida for iguana size or weight.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirms male iguanas can reach more than five feet in length and weigh up to 17 pounds. Morales hasn’t shared measurements for his catch, but visually, it appears larger than those of others who have previously made similar “record” claims.
Green iguanas may look prehistoric and Instagram-worthy, but in Florida, they’re considered a problem.
The reptiles first showed up in the state in the 1960s through the pet trade, and without natural predators, their numbers have exploded. According to FWC, female iguanas can lay up to 70 eggs a year, and the subtropical climate gives them the perfect breeding conditions.
The damage they cause goes beyond chewing through flowers and fruit trees. Iguanas are known to dig extensive burrows that can undermine sidewalks, seawalls, and canal banks.
Their presence has even led to power outages after they found their way into electrical equipment. On the environmental side, they compete with native species for food and habitat, disrupting the local ecosystem.
Because of the risks, Florida allows the year-round removal of iguanas without a hunting license. Wranglers like Morales have become part of the front line against their spread, often called in by homeowners frustrated with the destruction in their yards.
For now, Morales’ monster catch might remain an unofficial “record.” Still, Florida’s iguana population isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and each giant lizard removed is just one piece of an ongoing battle against a highly invasive species.