Michael Ronquillo works on the front lines of one of Florida's strangest and fastest-growing ecological problems: invasive iguanas. On this episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast, he explains why these reptiles have exploded across South Florida, how a single female can lay dozens of eggs and dig extensive burrows that undermine seawalls and infrastructure, and what it actually takes to manage the population. It is an eye-opening look at an invasive species most people only notice when one shows up in their backyard.
Michael Ronquillo is a specialist in invasive iguana management in Florida, working to control a non-native reptile population that has spread rapidly across the southern part of the state. He brings hands-on experience with the behavior, biology, and removal of these animals.
Iguanas are an invasive species in Florida with no natural predators to keep them in check, so their numbers have grown explosively. Ronquillo explains how they damage landscaping, undermine seawalls and foundations with their burrows, and disrupt native ecosystems.
Ronquillo describes how prolific these reptiles are, with a single female capable of laying dozens of eggs at a time. That reproductive rate is a major reason the population has spread so quickly across South Florida.
Iguanas dig extensive burrows that can run surprisingly far underground. Ronquillo explains how those burrow systems weaken seawalls, foundations, and infrastructure, turning the iguana problem into a property and safety issue as well as an ecological one.
Ronquillo walks through the realities of population management, the techniques used for removal, and why consistent, professional effort is required to make any dent in a population this established and this fast-breeding.
Ronquillo argues that the iguana problem is a clear example of how quickly an introduced species can reshape an environment. The damage extends from ecosystems to homeowners, making it a concern for anyone living in affected areas.
Invasive species are one of the most underappreciated threats to the places we love to fish and spend time, and Florida's iguana explosion is one of the most visible examples anywhere. Michael Ronquillo deals with this problem hands-on, and I wanted to understand the full scope of it, why the population grew so fast, the real damage it causes, and what managing it actually involves. It is the kind of conservation story that hides in plain sight until it is in your own yard.
With no natural predators and a warm climate, invasive iguanas found a near-perfect home in South Florida. Ronquillo explains the conditions that let the population grow so fast and why it has been so hard to slow down. Listen to how the problem got this big in the episode.
The harm goes well beyond chewed-up landscaping. Ronquillo describes how iguana burrows undermine seawalls, foundations, and infrastructure, and how the species disrupts native ecosystems. Hear the full extent of the damage in the conversation.
Managing a population this established and fast-breeding is not simple. Ronquillo walks through the techniques and the relentless, professional effort it takes to make any real impact. Press play to hear what the work actually looks like.
The iguana story is a vivid case study in how quickly an introduced animal can reshape an environment. Ronquillo connects it to the broader challenge of protecting native ecosystems from species that do not belong. Listen to his bigger-picture take in the episode.
The day after this conversation, what stuck with me was how fast an invasive species can go from curiosity to crisis. Most people see one iguana and think it is harmless. Ronquillo sees the whole system underneath it.
The deeper lesson is that conservation is not always about distant wilderness. Sometimes it is about the seawall in your neighborhood and the ecosystem in your own backyard.
Listen to the whole thing. It will change how you look at the next iguana you see.
The Tom Rowland Podcast brings you long-form conversations with the most accomplished anglers, hunters, conservationists, and outdoor professionals in the game. Listen to every full-length Tom Rowland Podcast interview.
Michael Ronquillo is a specialist in invasive iguana management working across South Florida, where a non-native reptile population has spread rapidly and caused damage to ecosystems, landscaping, and infrastructure. With hands-on experience in the behavior, biology, and removal of these animals, he offers a clear-eyed view of one of the region's most visible invasive species problems and what it takes to manage it.
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