Are Peter’s rock agama iguanas an established species in Sarasota?

Agama picticauda, a species of iguanas commonly known as the Peter’s rock agama, are established in the Sarasota area but are not native to Florida.

The iguana, which features a bright orange or red head and a blue or black body, is native to sub-Saharan Africa, but was introduced in Florida in 1976 as either escaped or released pets. Since then, they have established themselves in multiple Florida counties.

They can be frequently spotted in Sarasota, but they aren’t a Florida-born species. No iguana species is native to Florida.

Because of this, it’s legal to humanely kill iguanas on private property with the landowner’s permission.

The agama iguana is also legal to keep as a pet. However, it’s illegal to release them, or any nonnative species, into the wild.  

Pet agamas can be surrendered through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program to facilitate the rehoming process.