Florida homeowner finds 98 iguana eggs in backyard: 'It’s the most we’ve ever removed from one site'

Fox News - May 3rd, 2025

In a remarkable discovery in South Florida, Humane Iguana Control removed a record 98 iguana eggs from a Miami homeowner's yard. The eggs, laid by three female iguanas in interconnected burrows, were found after several inspections and trap setups. This incident highlights the ongoing battle against invasive iguana populations in the region, where these reptiles pose significant threats to infrastructure, landscapes, and public health.

Iguanas, originally introduced to Florida through the pet trade and cargo ships, thrive due to the warm climate and lack of natural predators. Their presence has led to substantial property damage and environmental degradation, prompting the state to classify them as a public nuisance. The swift action by the homeowner and the removal specialists highlights the importance of professional intervention to prevent further infestations. As Florida continues to grapple with this invasive species, coordinated efforts remain crucial in mitigating their impact on the environment and communities.

Invasive Species Humane Iguana Control Michael Ronquillo Iguana Eggs Wildlife Control South Florida

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.6

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The story provides an engaging narrative about a recent iguana egg removal event in South Florida, highlighting the challenges posed by invasive species. It effectively captures reader interest with vivid descriptions and relatable anecdotes, but its reliance on a single source and lack of third-party verification limit its accuracy and balance.

While the article is timely and addresses a topic of public interest, its potential impact is constrained by its narrow focus and omission of diverse perspectives. The readability and clarity are strong, making the story accessible to a general audience, but the lack of transparency and comprehensive analysis reduces its credibility.

Overall, the story raises awareness about the issue but could benefit from more in-depth reporting and a broader range of viewpoints to enhance its quality and reliability.

Accuracy

The story claims that Humane Iguana Control removed a record 98 iguana eggs from a property in South Florida, which is described as a local record. While this claim is specific, it lacks third-party verification or historical data to support the assertion of it being a record.

The article discusses iguana biology, such as their breeding season and hatch rates, but does not cite scientific studies or wildlife agency documentation to verify these claims. For instance, the 93% hatch rate for iguana eggs is mentioned without any supporting data or references to peer-reviewed studies.

Claims about infrastructure damage, like the $1.8 million dam damage in West Palm Beach caused by iguana burrowing, are significant but lack supporting evidence from municipal repair records or geological surveys. This weakens the credibility of the story's impact claims.

Overall, while the story provides detailed anecdotes and statements from a single source, it lacks robust evidence and third-party verification for many of its key claims, affecting its overall accuracy.

Balance

The story predominantly presents the perspective of Humane Iguana Control and its owner, Michael Ronquillo, without offering counterpoints or additional viewpoints from other experts or stakeholders. This creates a potential bias towards the company's perspective on iguana control.

There is no representation of views from environmentalists, local residents, or wildlife experts who might have different opinions on iguana management or the ecological impact of such removal practices. This omission limits the story's balance and could lead to a skewed understanding of the issue.

By focusing solely on the removal company's narrative, the story misses the opportunity to explore broader implications or alternative methods for handling the iguana population, which could provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to follow, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the discovery of the iguana eggs, the removal process, and the broader implications of iguana infestations.

The language is straightforward, and the narrative is engaging, making the story accessible to a general audience. However, some technical terms related to iguana behavior and removal methods are not fully explained, which could leave readers unfamiliar with the topic needing more context.

Overall, the clarity of the article is strong, but it could benefit from additional explanations of technical aspects to enhance reader understanding.

Source quality

The primary source of information in the article is Michael Ronquillo, owner of Humane Iguana Control. While he provides detailed insights into the iguana removal process, the lack of additional sources or corroboration from independent experts or authorities limits the depth of the reporting.

The reliance on a single source raises questions about the potential for bias, especially since Ronquillo's business directly benefits from the portrayal of iguanas as a significant problem. The story would benefit from input from wildlife biologists or government officials to add credibility and balance.

Overall, the source quality is moderate, as the article relies heavily on anecdotal evidence and lacks a diverse range of authoritative voices.

Transparency

The article does not provide sufficient transparency regarding the methodology used to verify the claims made, such as the record number of eggs removed or the specific impact of iguanas on infrastructure.

There is little context provided about how the information was gathered, and there are no disclosures of any potential conflicts of interest, such as the financial incentives for the iguana removal company.

The lack of transparency in explaining the basis for the claims and the absence of detailed sourcing reduces the reader's ability to fully trust the information presented.