A resident opted for an unusual way to get rid of an invasive green iguana that fell from a tree due to the cold: using its meat and eggs to make a taco.
A Florida man has gone viral after turning an invasive species into an unusual filling for tacos.
In a video shared on TikTok, Gray Davis documents the moment he caught a green iguana frozen by the coldwhich had fallen from a tree. Rather than discard the reptile, Davis decided to cook it. His reasoning: Why waste a free and environmentally problematic source of protein?
South Florida is used to the so-called “rain of iguanas“, a phenomenon that occurs when temperatures drop and cold-blooded iguanas become immobilized, sometimes falling from trees. Green iguanas are considered a invasive species in the region and during cold snaps, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allows residents to remove and dispose of them humanely without a permit.
Davis took advantage of this opportunity, with his interpretation of “discard” to mean dinner.
@gray.davis Would you try Iguana Tacos? 🌮 🦎 #fyp #foryoupagе #catchandcook #iguana ♬ original sound – Gray Davis
“They have the nickname ‘tree chicken‘ because they’re absolutely delicious,” Davis said in the video, explaining that some residents collect cold-stunned iguanas to help control the population. Instead of letting the animal get lost, he planned to make tacos.
The video does not show the animal being cleaned, but Davis reveals that found 20 eggs inside the iguana. “By removing this iguana, we actually saved the environment from over 20 iguanas in the spring,” he said.
Davis then walks viewers through the preparation process. Cook the iguana meat over low heat with onion, garlic, bay leaves and salt before browning in a frying pan with additional seasonings. Eggs are boiled until soft and beaten with avocado, garlic, olive oil, salt and lemon to create a sauce. The final product is assembled into clubs, which Davis proudly dubs “Florida man’s taco“, in reference to. “If you can’t beat them, eat them”, he concludes.
The online reaction was immediate and polarized. Many commentators expressed disgust, particularly at the use of eggs. Others focused on the quantity of the meal, with one viewer commenting that “21 souls in one meal is crazy.”
Even so, there were those who applauded the sustainability aspect. Advocates have argued that eating invasive species can help reduce ecological damage while also providing a local food source. “As a vegan, I consider this an ethical consumption of meat. Respect,” says one of the comments.
In a later post, Davis acknowledged the controversy, saying he understood that iguana tacos not to everyone’s taste. However, he defended the meal as an ethical choice, arguing that using the animal for food was preferable to waste.
