America’s most dangerous invasive lizard lives in Florida. Here’s why it’s a big problem

NEWS

Published: February 23, 2026 at 8:38 AM

Tags: animals, strange florida, lee county, palm beach county, florida, orange county, seminole county, environment, marion county, volusia county, flagler county, polk county

Florida residents are no strangers to invasive reptiles, from the iguanas that fall out of trees in the winter, to the Burmese Pythons slithering through the Everglades. However, one species has been dubbed by the USGS as the largest, most dangerous invasive lizard in all of Florida — as well as the United States.