Florida winters are full of surprises, but longtime residents know to let “sleeping” iguanas lie.
South Florida this morning…
— Brian Shields, WFTV (@BrianWFTV) January 30, 2022
Iguanas falling from trees because of the cold. They aren’t dead. It is advised to let them be.
📸Alicia https://t.co/OTfjwudQpo
While the Sunshine State is renowned for its unseasonably warm winter months, Mother Nature still occasionally plunges Floridians toward near-freezing territory, and some of the nation’s most southeastern lizards have a difficult time maintaining their tree-level perches.
I think the iguanas are fed up with this cold in Florida. Near freezing temperatures led to many falling right out of the trees they call home, this morning.
— Zach Covey (@ZachCoveyTV) January 30, 2022
📸 Cathy Butler
📌 Dreher Park pic.twitter.com/usSk6vXNQu
According to The Associated Press, the invasive species enter a survival mode akin to suspended animation when the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 4 degrees Celsius. The cold-stunned lizards then fall to the ground but usually revive when the sun’s rays warm them up.
It’s officially raining iguanas in South Florida pic.twitter.com/9ecBQELUUE
— Cristian Benavides (@cbenavidesTV) January 30, 2022
Needless to say, the scenes across some South Florida neighborhoods Sunday morning were quite startling to newcomers and par for the course for longtime residents.
Iguanas falling out of trees is my least favorite thing about Florida 😵💫
— Mo 🧛🏾♀️The Officiant (@MO_CAME4FUN) February 1, 2022
Cold-stunned iguanas fell out of trees as temperatures dipped into the 30s and 40s in parts of Florida this weekend. A woman in Hollywood moved several iguanas into the sun to help get them warmed up. pic.twitter.com/2vrcmeOt08
— WPRI 12 (@wpri12) January 31, 2022
Iguanas are falling in Florida because it’s cold.
— Diana Briceño (@dianagetssocial) January 31, 2022
If I find one I’m making it a cozy bed to warm up. If I find two…bunk beds.
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