In a Nutshell:
- Florida resident John Riddle found an irate iguana in his toilet, leading to a ‘Jurassic Park’-like scenario in his home. The reptile presumably gained entry through a door left open for Riddle’s dogs.
- According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, three species of iguanas have become invasive in Florida, causing significant damage to native plants and animals, and are even known to transmit salmonella.
- After an ordeal involving a repurposed baby gate, Riddle managed to escort the intruder out of his home. The iguana exited by taking a dive in Riddle’s pool, then casually strolled off into the backyard.
In a story that could only come out of the Sunshine State, a man found himself face-to-face with an unexpected toilet tenant—an irate iguana.
John Riddle, 58, of Hollywood, Florida, experienced his own kind of ‘Jurassic Park’ sequel last week when he encountered the splashing and hissing reptile lounging in his loo.
“He was splashing and hissing at me. I was scared. I’m not a reptile fan,” Riddle told WSVN.
Pardon us, but one has to wonder: Isn’t this the definition of having a crappy day?
It seems the uninvited guest sneaked into his house via an open door—Riddle’s open door policy, intended for his dogs, backfired, serving as an all-access pass for the rebellious reptile.
Florida, notorious for its eclectic wildlife and occasional invasive guests, is a hotbed for three types of iguanas, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC): the green, Mexican spinytail, and black spinytail.
Thanks to the pet trade, these Central American natives turned Floridian trespassers in the 1960s, making them about as native as Mickey Mouse.
Interestingly, these green thugs aren’t just small-sized Godzilla wannabes. They can reach lengths of 5 feet and wreak havoc on local flora and fauna.
The FWC paints a picture of them as the “greedy goats” of the reptile world, eating up native endangered plants like they’re at an all-you-can-eat salad bar.
To add insult to injury, the iguanas also have an appetite for nickernut/nickerbean, the major food of the endangered Miami blue butterfly.
They’re essentially eco-villains who refuse to follow any table manners!
One of their less known, but no less disconcerting skills, is their knack for swimming.
Iguanas are often found lounging in swimming pools, and, as Riddle discovered, even toilets.
Swimming aside, these creatures are also prolific diggers, causing damage to sidewalks and more.
We aren’t trying to make your skin crawl, but did we mention that they can also transmit salmonella through their droppings?
Oh, and when it gets too chilly, you might find these critters dropping from trees like peculiar, oversized icicles.
Getting back to our hero’s predicament—how do you get an angry iguana out of your bathroom?
Riddle, showing a touch of MacGyver, repurposed a baby gate to block the creature from turning his house into a reptile wonderland.
His plan eventually worked, and the irate intruder beat a retreat, diving into the pool before wandering off into the backyard.
Riddle’s tale reminds us to always look before we leap—or in this case, before we take a seat.
It also serves as a strange but apt metaphor for life in Florida: Always expect the unexpected, and never leave the toilet lid up.
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