Florida’s green iguanas might be unwelcome neighbors, but their hides are extraordinary. What began as an ecological challenge has become an opportunity to create something beautiful, functional, and sustainable. Instead of letting this invasive species go to waste, we transform each harvested iguana into a premium exotic leather—turning an environmental problem into a premium, responsible material for makers and designers.
Florida’s green iguanas are not native to the state—they were introduced through the pet trade and have since exploded in population. With no natural predators and a warm climate perfectly suited to them, they’ve become one of Florida’s most disruptive invasive species. Here’s why they’re a serious problem:
Iguanas burrow aggressively, which undermines:
Seawalls
Sidewalks
Pool decks
Home foundations
Canal banks
Their burrows can collapse structures and create costly repair issues for homeowners and municipalities.
Iguanas feed on flowers, fruit, and ornamentals, overwhelming gardens, parks, and residential landscaping. They also devastate sensitive native vegetation, competing with native wildlife for food.
By feeding on native plants and displacing native animals, iguanas disrupt Florida's fragile ecosystems. Their population growth outpaces that of native species, throwing local ecological balance out of alignment.
Iguanas often climb into and damage:
Electrical transformers
Airport runways
Public parks
Irrigation systems
They’ve even caused power outages by climbing into utility equipment.
Like many reptiles, iguanas can carry salmonella, posing a risk when they inhabit public spaces, docks, backyards, and pools.
A single female can lay 20–70 eggs per year, allowing populations to expand dramatically. This rapid reproduction makes management challenging and ongoing.
Because iguanas are invasive and harmful to Florida’s environment and infrastructure, state wildlife officials encourage humane removal. By transforming these sourced animals into leather, you help:
Reduce ecological pressure
Prevent waste
Support responsible wildlife management
Give value and purpose to a problem species
It’s an eco-positive alternative to other materials.
Eco-Positive: Helps reduce ecological damage caused by invasive iguana populations
Surprisingly Durable: Thin enough to bend and turn, strong enough to stretch and pull without ripping
Conversation-Starting Material: Every piece has a story worth telling