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Outdoors

Iguanas, pythons and exotic pets

What you may remove yourself, what to report, and where to surrender an exotic pet you can no longer keep, with no fine.

Run by POACH
See the stepsGet help
CostFree
Processing timeSurrender days every spring and fall
Ways to do itBy phoneIn personOnline

01About this service

About this service

Some of Leonida’s best-known residents are not from here. Iguanas eat gardens and dig under seawalls; pythons released in the Grassrivers eat almost everything else.

POACH does not send a trapper for them. It tells you what you may do yourself, takes reports of pythons and runs surrender days for exotic pets.

Who it’s for

  • Homeowners with iguanas in the yard or the seawall
  • Owners of a reptile, bird or other exotic pet they can no longer keep
  • Hikers and boaters who see a python in the wild

02How it works

3 steps, start to finish.

  1. Step 1: Identify it

    Iguanas are green to gray and harmless to people. A large snake in the Grassrivers is most likely a python.

  2. Step 2: Report pythons

    Call 1-888-555-0132 with the place and a photo. Trained volunteers and officers remove them.

  3. Step 3: Never release a pet

    Bring it to a surrender day or call ahead to a POACH office. No fine, no questions.

03What to prepare

Have these ready.

  • Where the animal is
  • A photo from a safe distance
  • A secure, ventilated container to surrender a pet

Ways to do it

  • By phone

    Exotic Species line, 1-888-555-0132, every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • In person

    On surrender days, and at the Grassrivers Field Station by appointment.

  • Online

    The rules for removing iguanas on your own property, and the dates of the next surrender days.

Online services are open around the clock. Keep the confirmation you receive: it is your proof of filing.

04Questions

Frequently asked questions

05Run by

Who runs this service

Questions about your case? POACH can help.

poach.leonida.govProtection of Animals & Controlled HuntingHunting and fishing seasons and licenses, nuisance alligators and the Wildlife Alert line, from Grassrivers to Mount Kalaga.Visit the site
POACH information(800) 555-0140Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To report a violation, the Wildlife Alert line answers day and night: 1-888-555-0131.Emailpoach@state-of-leonida.com
POACH Headquarters620 Sawgrass WayLeonida City, LD 32399

Offices open Monday to Friday; the Grassrivers Field Station every day.

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