A Florida man has captured social media attention by transforming the state's frozen iguana population into a unique culinary creation, dubbing it the "Florida Man taco." Content creator Gray Davis went viral on TikTok with videos demonstrating how to prepare green iguanas, often called "Chicken of the Trees," after a cold snap left them immobilized and easy to collect.
The Viral Iguana Taco Trend
Davis's video, which has amassed hundreds of thousands of likes, shows him collecting a cold-stunned green iguana that fell from a tree during a recent South Florida cold snap. He meticulously cleans and cooks the meat, highlighting the more than twenty eggs found inside the reptile. These eggs were incorporated into the taco preparation alongside traditional toppings like pickled red onions, jalapeños, and cilantro.
"By removing this one iguana, we've actually saved the environment from over twenty iguanas come spring," Davis explained in his TikTok video, referring to the eggs. He emphasized a zero-waste approach, preserving the iguana skin and using leftovers as bait for crab traps. After taking a bite, he declared, "Now that right there is a Florida Man taco. If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em."
Restaurants Join the Trend with Creative Dishes
Inspired by this trend, Bucks Coal Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach created an "Everglades Pizza" featuring iguana meat. Conceived by content creator Ryan Izquierdo, the pizza combines iguana with venison, alligator, bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing. Izquierdo praised the taste, stating, "I've been eating these for years. The meat tastes just like chicken. You would never know you're eating iguana."
Legal Restrictions on Iguana Meat Sales
Despite the growing popularity of iguana meat videos on social media, selling iguanas or iguana meat in Florida remains illegal for restaurants. While state law permits residents to humanely kill and consume invasive iguanas to control their population, restaurants must adhere to stringent food-safety regulations. These rules require that all food served comes from approved, regulated, and inspected suppliers.
Since wild-caught iguanas are not sourced through these approved channels, restaurants are prohibited from cooking or selling them to customers. Izquierdo confirmed to CBS 12 News that the iguana pizzas are strictly for demonstration and content creation purposes. "Right now, it is absolutely not for sale," he emphasized. "So don't even waste your time calling."
Environmental Impact and Public Response
Green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida, blamed for damaging vegetation and infrastructure. Wildlife officials allow residents to humanely remove cold-stunned iguanas without a permit as part of efforts to curb the population. Davis's video highlights this environmental benefit, noting that removing one iguana can prevent the hatching of numerous eggs in the spring.
The viral trend has sparked mixed reactions online, with many viewers questioning the legality and ethics of consuming iguanas. However, proponents argue that it offers a creative solution to managing the invasive species while reducing waste. As social media continues to fuel interest, the debate over iguana consumption in Florida is likely to persist, balancing culinary innovation with regulatory compliance.
