Florida Man is Flushed with Surprise When he Finds Something Huge in His Toilet
An unsuspecting man in Florida was shocked when he found an unwanted guest hanging out in his bathroom. The guest was an invasive iguana playing in the bowl of his toilet - animal control was called to deal with the critter, who will now have to relieve itself in the wild.
By Richard Cole · October 28, 2023
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — This story might leave you a little flushed as a Florida man recently found himself face-to-face with the last thing anyone wants to encounter in their bathroom – an invasive iguana chilling out in his toilet. Forget about the monster under your bed; it’s the reptile in your toilet that you should be worried about now.
Gary Greenspan, a resident of Hollywood, Florida, took to Facebook to share his wild encounter with the invasive iguana. And this reptile wasn’t just casually hanging out, waiting for its turn to use the facilities. No, it was apparently on a full-blown spa retreat, seeking the ultimate relaxation in the most unexpected of places.
“I don’t know if it was just looking for a spa day or what, but it’s huge,” Greenspan exclaimed. And honestly, who can blame the iguana? Florida is known for its sunshine and warm weather, so why not take advantage of a luxurious toilet bowl to cool off and unwind? It’s the reptile equivalent of a five-star resort, only with a lot more porcelain.
Naturally, Greenspan did what any sane person would do in this situation – he called animal control to come to the rescue. But little did he know that his hopes of a peaceful reptile relocation were about to be flushed down the drain. Turns out, releasing captured iguanas is strictly prohibited by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Looks like this iguana had a one-way ticket to the plumbing depths.
Now, before you start wondering if this is some bizarre Florida phenomenon, let me assure you, it’s not. Apparently, these invasive green iguanas have become quite the nuisance in the Sunshine State. They have a knack for wriggling their way into toilets across Florida, turning your ordinary bathroom into an exotic zoo experience.
Iguanas, along with snakes and rats, can infiltrate your plumbing system by climbing onto your roof and bypassing the toilet’s P-trap. And no, the P-trap isn’t some newfangled yoga pose; it’s the curved portion of the pipe that keeps waste and sewer smell out of your bathroom. Clearly, these iguanas missed the memo on bathroom etiquette.
But here’s where it gets truly mind-boggling. This whole toilet invasion situation is more likely to happen in homes owned by seasonal residents who only come to Florida during the cold months. Apparently, when toilets aren’t frequently flushed, the P-trap can dry out, leaving the perfect iguana-sized entrance. Who knew that irregular toilet usage could lead to such reptilian misadventures?
It’s important to note that iguanas are generally harmless to humans. However, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission kindly informed us that they can transmit salmonella through contaminated water or surfaces. So, if you were planning on licking your toilet seat, maybe think twice. Good advice for anyone really…
Apart from their potential salmonella delivery service, iguanas also pose a threat to property and landscaping. They have a penchant for munching on plants and leaving little surprises on your belongings. Thankfully, animal control can assist in relocating or eliminating these unwanted guests. But here’s a fun fact: the FWC says you can actually humanely kill iguanas on private property with landowner permission.
So, the next time you take a seat on your porcelain throne, just remember that you might not be alone. Keep an eye out for any unexpected visitors, whether they’re scaly, slimy, or just looking for a spa day. And if you do find yourself face-to-face with an iguana in your toilet, don’t panic. Just call animal control, hope for the best, and maybe consider flushing a little more frequently. And don’t lick your toilet seat.