Florida Cold Snap Causes Iguanas to Fall from Trees

Iguanas Affected by Florida Cold Snap

• 🥶 Florida's historic cold snap has caused iguanas, which prefer tropical climates, to become cold-stunned and fall from trees.
• 🌡️ When temperatures drop into the 30s and 40s, these cold-blooded creatures freeze up and appear dead.
• ☀️ Fortunately, they often thaw out and spring back to life when the temperature rises and sunlight hits their bodies.

Understanding Iguana Behavior

• 🦎 Iguanas can be injured or die if they fall on hard surfaces like concrete and break their necks, or if they remain frozen for too long.
• 🧊 Their frozen state is compared to a hibernation state seen in frogs during winter.
• ⚠️ While appearing docile when frozen, iguanas can become aggressive and bite when they warm up, especially males.

Dealing with Frozen Iguanas

• 🏠 If residents find iguanas in their yards, the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) has set up drop-off stations for them.
• 🚗 Iguanas falling from trees can be heavy and potentially cause damage, such as breaking car windows or even hitting people.
• 🎨 The iguana shown, Fred, displayed an orange coloration, indicating he is a dominant male or in mating season.

Impact of Unusual Weather

• 📅 This type of prolonged cold weather has not been common in Florida for over 10 to 15 years.
• 📉 A significant portion of the iguana population may perish due to the extreme cold, but many will survive if they fall in locations where they can receive sunlight.