When life gives you frozen reptiles falling from the sky, make tacos. That seems to be the philosophy of Gray Davis, a Florida TikTok creator who has taken the internet by storm this week. As the Sunshine State shivers through a February cold snap that has sent invasive green iguanas plummeting from trees in a state of suspended animation, Davis decided to turn the ecological nuisance into a culinary experiment. His viral video, which documents the process of transforming a cold-stunned lizard into what he dubs the ultimate "Florida Man Taco," has sparked a heated debate between culinary curiosity and squeamish horror.

The Viral "Chicken of the Trees" Recipe

The video, posted to Davis's TikTok account (@gray.davis), begins with a scene familiar to many South Floridians this week: a rigid, green iguana lying motionless on the grass. But instead of disposing of the invasive pest, Davis scoops it up with a plan. "Whenever we have these cold fronts and they start falling down, a lot of people will go out and collect them to help control the number in the population," Davis explains to his millions of viewers. "But they do have the nickname 'chicken of the trees' because they're absolutely delicious."

Davis recounts the preparation with the precision of a food network host, albeit one working with an unconventional protein. After humanely dispatching the reptile, he discovered roughly 20 eggs inside, noting that his meal effectively "saved the environment" from dozens of future invaders. The meat was simmered with aromatics—onion, garlic, bay leaf, and salt—before being shredded and crisped in a frying pan.

The "Forbidden Guacamole" Sauce

Perhaps the most shocking part of the recipe for viewers was the sauce. Davis didn't just cook the meat; he utilized the iguana eggs found inside. He soft-boiled the eggs and blended them with avocado, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, and lime juice to create a rich, creamy topping. The final product, a crispy taco topped with the bright green sauce, looked surprisingly appetizing to some. "Now that right there is a Florida man taco," Davis quipped before taking a bite. "If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em."

Why Is It Raining Iguanas in 2026?

While the tacos are new, the phenomenon of falling iguanas is a well-documented side effect of Florida's occasional winter chills. Green iguanas are cold-blooded (ectothermic) and native to Central and South America. They thrive in Florida's sub-tropical heat but are ill-equipped for temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When the mercury drops, as it did during this week's sharp cold front, their bodies enter a state of torpor—a temporary paralysis where their metabolism slows to a crawl to preserve energy.

When this happens, the lizards lose their grip on tree branches and fall to the ground. They aren't dead, just immobilized. Once the sun comes out and temperatures rise, they typically thaw out and scurry away. However, because they are an invasive species that damages seawalls, sidewalks, and native plants, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) often encourages their removal. During this specific cold snap, the FWC reportedly issued Executive Order 26-03, temporarily relaxing regulations to allow residents to remove cold-stunned iguanas from their properties without a permit.

Reactions: Sustainable Eating or Nightmare Fuel?

The reaction to Davis's "iguana meat season" content has been polarized. On one side, environmentalists and survivalists have praised the creator for promoting sustainable, ethical meat eating. By harvesting an invasive species that damages the local ecosystem, Davis is arguably doing a public service. One commenter noted, "This is the definition of ethical eating. Local, invasive, and nothing went to waste."

On the other hand, the general public remains skeptical of dining on roadside reptiles. "I was with you until the iguana egg blender sauce," wrote one horrified user. Despite the "ick factor," Davis isn't the only one partaking. Reports have surfaced of other creators, including a YouTuber who recently filmed himself frying iguana meat outside a Waffle House, signaling a bizarre new trend in Florida's content creation scene.

Safety Warnings from Officials

While eating iguanas is legal in Florida (and they are indeed sold in some markets as garrobo), experts warn amateurs to be cautious. The FWC advises against bringing cold-stunned iguanas into your home or car to "warm them up." These animals can recover remarkably fast and are known to be defensive, with sharp claws, teeth, and whip-like tails that can cause injury.

Furthermore, like any wild game, there are health risks. Iguanas can carry Salmonella and other bacteria, so proper handling and thorough cooking are essential. Davis himself emphasized that he wasted nothing, using the skin and leftovers for crab bait, reinforcing the "waste not, want not" ethos of his viral moment. As the cold snap lifts and the remaining iguanas return to the trees, one thing is certain: Florida Man has once again proven that nothing—not even a frozen lizard—is off the menu.