Florida is experiencing an unusual cold wave in recent days. Since last weekend, thermometers have plummeted to levels not seen in more than a decade. This causes an unusual phenomenon: the strange fall of iguanas in Florida.
In Miami and Fort Lauderdale, minimum temperatures close to 0ºC were recorded, the coldest since 2010. Of all the inhabitants of Florida, iguanas are some of the worst. And the low temperatures immobilize them, leaving them in a kind of catatonic state or temporary paralysis. Thus, when they are sleeping in the trees, they lose their grip and fall to the ground.
extreme cold
They are paralyzed, but still alive. Sea turtles, snakes, and other reptiles also experience cold stunning during frost. In the case of iguanas, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission issued a notice about the possible fall of iguanas from trees. This happens due to the extreme cold these days. An Executive Order was issued that exceptionally allows citizens who see any of these reptiles falling on their property to remove them and hand them over to the authorities.
The Commission reminds that green iguanas are an invasive species. Its presence in Florida affects local ecosystems. On other occasions, authorities have warned of the potential danger of taking any of these iguanas home. "Whatever you do, don't bring wild green iguanas into your house or car to warm them up!" They may recover faster than you think and become defensive. “They use their long tails and sharp teeth and claws,” the Commission said in 2022.
Stopped heart
Most of the iguanas in southern Florida come from countries with warmer climates in Central and South America. There they do not face such low temperatures. These cold-blooded green iguanas depend on external heat to regulate their body temperature. When the temperature is less than 10ºC, some enter a state of hibernation that leaves them lethargic.
The strange fall of iguanas in Florida has an explanation. To survive in a colder climate, iguanas slow the pace of their body processes. This includes blood flow and heartbeat to a minimum. They even change color, from a bright green to a more grayish tone, and make their eyes sink in. When temperatures rise, they regain their normal physical state.
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