Florida Pizza Shop Sparks Outrage with Iguana Meat Prank After Cold Snap

A Florida pizza shop has sparked outrage after pranking customers that it had added iguana meat to its menu after so many of the reptiles died during the state's recent cold snap.

Bucks Coal Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach introduced its 'Everglades' pie in an Instagram video earlier this month. Shop owner Frankie Cecere explained that the pizza consists of chunk bacon, venison, and 'the star of the show iguana.' He claimed he was challenged to create the unusual dish by local wildlife trapper Ryan Izquierdo after so many iguanas were killed off during the cold.

Temperatures plunged to the mid-30s at the start of the month sending the cold-blooded reptiles into a state of 'torpor,' in which they temporarily lose muscle control and appear to be frozen. The reptiles, which are considered an invasive species in Florida, then died or were culled by Izquierdo and others who took advantage of the easy prey.

The menu addition immediately prompted disgust when it was announced by Cecere. However, the owner has since confirmed to the Daily Mail that the whole idea was a hoax - though he hasn't ruled out securing the necessary permits to legally sell the unusual meat.

Pizza shop owner Frankie Cecere pranked customers he had added iguana meat to its Everglades pie. Local trapper, Ryan Izquierdo, brought iguanas to Bucks Coal Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach in the beginning of February and challenged the owners to incorporate it on the menu.

The prank prompted a violent reaction online with many customers vowing to steer clear. 'What's the name of this place so I know never to come and eat here?' One person asked on Instagram. 'Nope, and the fact that he put the lizard in the oven and then used the blade to cut the pie, I'll never eat there,' said another. 'This has to be against every health code violation in the book! This place should be shut down!' A third wrote.

The backlash grew so great it prompted a visit from the health department, according to Local 10. 'People called in saying we had live iguanas in house, like an animal cruelty issue,' Cecere told the outlet. 'We don't have live iguanas here. I thought it would fall under catch and cook,' he joked.

Despite the backlash over the video, the shop owner told the outlet that the Everglades pie was highly sought after and that over 1,500 people had called to get a slice. Izquierdo described the taste of iguana similar to frog legs. Here is pictured with a massive frozen iguana haul about two weeks ago during the cold snap which dropped temperatures to the mid-30s.

Many took online to share how disgusted they were and promised to never eat at the pizza parlor. Izquierdo described the taste of iguana as 'like a frog leg but a little bit sweet.' Many online also questioned why so many were disgusted at the thought of eating the invasive species and were interested in getting a slice for themselves.

'People eat Gator meat and Rattlesnakes, why not iguana?' posted one person on Instagram. 'I know a lot of cultures eat iguanas… that's a no thank you for me lmao but that pizza still looks delicious!!' 'I gotta get one of these, I'll trade you iguana tacos,' another added. 'Iguana's meat is the chicken of the tree... that's a fire idea, pie chef. That venison alone sounds dope,' a third said.

Floridians are typically forbidden from handling iguanas themselves. But amid the cold snap, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission decided to allow residents to bring the frozen iguanas to temporary collection sites set up across the state, where they will either be humanely euthanized or transferred to licensed permit holders for sale outside of the state.