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Because iguanas and Argentine black and white tegus are not native animals to Florida's wildlife, their release and population in the wild are a threat to Florida's ecosystem.
In fact, Florida is home to 500 nonnative species that, if not adequately watched, are harmful to the existing environment. Take, for instance, one of the worst offenders: Burmese pythons. These snakes, part of the 16 high-risk invasive species populated in areas like the Everglades national park in Miami-Dade, prey on deer, rodents and alligators, The Guardian reported.
In the case of the Argentine black and white tegu, the microchip is meant for their protection. Since 2012, nearly 8,000 tegus have been killed by hunters or removed by FWC staffers.