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Florida, a state renowned for its unique wildlife and often-unconventional news stories, is once again capturing the internet’s attention. A recent surge in viral videos and memes, particularly those shared through accounts like “Only in Florida,” highlights ongoing encounters between residents and the state’s growing iguana population. The question on many minds – and increasingly, the subject of humorous online debates – is whose spot is it, really?
The phenomenon isn’t novel. Iguanas, not native to Florida, have been establishing themselves in the state for decades, particularly in South Florida. However, recent cold snaps have brought the issue into sharper focus, with images of “frozen iguanas” becoming a recurring meme, as reported by the News-Press [https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxNOGRrTUNfX0ZtVEFFaF9xNkRKZ1hVdUlOc3RGZUdXM0lua0VhWmxuZ3ZVemRZM2pNaEt2R2JLX2FPZ2xzVW9oSDFmeHlUZW00bWVCMGcwM0MxZmotV29lOWoySUlQRUdEUzdYbldkakZDRVVTYnZRdExwRDNXRTdkTVVlelM4Y2twRW1scklwdUEwVjRLS0F6Y1lNSThzdkstTVJ6Tkt2dmNDZjFTeFZBdEgxRUJRLTViUmc?oc=5]. But beyond the novelty, these encounters are raising questions about property damage, ecological impact, and the challenges of coexisting with an invasive species.
The “Cuban Tarzan” and the Biggest Iguana
One individual gaining notoriety for his iguana-wrangling skills is Andrew Morales, who refers to himself as the “Cuban Tarzan.” According to Facebook posts, Morales claims to have caught the largest iguana ever recorded in Florida [https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi3wFBVV95cUxONFlvUWYwU3VHSkZRS3RqWWxyWjlkVktGUk5hWVhTa3RZZkk0SXdvVzZqN1p3MFduNDU4Si1CeE9BTzdhME1UVll6dHdFeS1UWks4MWlTM1czQmZYVXBPYTdHQzljdF9FbU53RU9BcTl1NVZyVEdONnpDTmpvX1dxdS03Zkl2a3dfZmVmVWtxWjhjd20yRXhmanZJcXlUaXZhNzFGbFA1U2YzYmt3U3pYRVZOREdiY1JiZjJBb2xpZU14dmpLS2N5Nko4d1hpMVpJYTl5djYtaHJPblVrSDA4?oc=5]. Even as the claim hasn’t been officially verified by state wildlife officials, it has fueled further interest in the ongoing human-iguana interactions.
The increasing frequency of these encounters is prompting a wave of user-generated content, with many Floridians sharing their own iguana stories, and videos. The hashtag #OnlyinFlorida has develop into a popular way to categorize and share these experiences, turning everyday occurrences into viral sensations. Accounts like “Only in Florida” actively repost these submissions, fostering a community around the state’s unique and often-quirky wildlife.
The Florida Man Meme and the State’s Image
The fascination with unusual Florida news isn’t entirely new. The “Florida Man” meme, a long-running internet phenomenon, has cemented the state’s reputation for bizarre and often humorous headlines. As detailed by Netflix [https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxOTkZfYi1VWkJoZFFuZHJNNTJ1all6T1RfWURqOEZIVWtNZi0zdFBENkZNNm9BRG5xLUJRQ3dSU2JWMVVYcXFyMUFNVXc4VDQyblpNcmNoNFc3RE5HRkc3UDBhMlNJNjJKczNLQzBIQ1c4emNBcGZhb0NjNEltdHViRzhR?oc=5], the meme typically involves a news headline starting with “Florida Man…” followed by an outlandish act. The iguana encounters, while not always fitting the “Florida Man” mold, contribute to the state’s overall image as a place where the unexpected is commonplace.
The University of South Florida (USF) even leveraged the recent excitement surrounding a significant sports upset by creating memes and videos, demonstrating the power of internet culture in capturing and sharing moments [https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQS2hWMDVqYm9VWmpOOHlkUjN2bno4dHMyaVU5Y1psa2pUdnlBQjAzdEk4US1qdUxCMFlBMmVXRzc4VWN6SU5CemxCbm0wenBvZzl1NlpWVXI0azExS2xQRXZXRWh0MUVXWkVDSVE1OV9NNkszbWlZTkRkZm8wUF9mY0R6c3dsWnVqUFByLWJvQTdaakpGTzJaQ1dvU3FmWmxzamp6WmdYZVpscHc?oc=5]. This highlights how quickly events in Florida can translate into shareable content, further amplifying the state’s online presence.
Florida Weather and Iguana Behavior
The behavior of iguanas is also heavily influenced by Florida’s climate. As the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported, even December can bring surprisingly cold temperatures to the Sunshine State [https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0wFBVV95cUxPQUtJakxrb3NjczlNaHcxaktIenRMdno3eFV0eC1DaE43d1FGUHdKN0kwdlR3TnIwbU5qZjVSRkhEbnJpdWF3eWdBSWo0QzVhTC1iRnNpTHdOMjdscU5kbTRlc3g0UTNfVVQybklfaGNsc29kQkFkdnF4eHlHZUJ6QjRuNHhtdUktTG1VVFB1QXNoYWZoREtta1BtOWVBTll2UUU1REhxVEpTenVzZ2tGM3FQUmgzdU4tT2NjX0FGbDZGTkhTcjhpZHdSQ2s1eXhiSGM0?oc=5]. These cold spells can cause iguanas to become lethargic and even fall from trees, leading to the aforementioned “frozen iguana” phenomenon. However, they are not necessarily dead, and often revive once temperatures rise.
As the iguana population continues to grow, and as Floridians continue to document their encounters, the debate over whose spot it is – and how to coexist with these increasingly common reptiles – is likely to continue. The ongoing stream of videos and memes shared under the #OnlyinFlorida hashtag ensures that this uniquely Floridian story will remain in the spotlight.
Looking ahead, state wildlife officials will likely continue to monitor the iguana population and explore strategies for managing its impact on the ecosystem. The public’s role in reporting sightings and sharing information will also be crucial in understanding and addressing this ongoing challenge. Share your Florida experiences and tag us – we want to see what makes your corner of the Sunshine State so unique!