Florida residents typically avoid the worst problems of winter like snow.
But the Sunshine State has some unique challenges when it gets cold outside.
And Florida residents are living in fear over being hit by this animal in a cold snap.
Florida residents could be hit by iguana frozen from the cold
Chilly weather in Florida means that residents in some parts of the state need to be on the lookout for iguanas falling on them from the trees.
Iguanas can be stunned by the cold weather when the temperature is below 50 degrees.
The cold-blooded reptiles stop functioning when the weather gets too cold.
“When temperatures drop below a certain threshold, their metabolism slows down, and they become sluggish,” Florida company Iguana Control stated.
Iguanas suffering from a cold stun have been known to fall from trees in South Florida.
Colder temperatures tonight in Florida will lead to falling iguanas. This is what it looks like! (They’re totally okay and are fine when the temperatures warm back up) 🦎 pic.twitter.com/gM1vtJkQQL
— Tyler Roney (@TylerJRoney) January 24, 2022
Florida residents often think that these reptiles are dead when they are stunned by the cold because of their lifeless nature but they recover as soon as the temperature warms up.
If anyone was wondering how cold it is in S Fl…if you time it right, you can have dinner for the rest of winter. #fallingiguanas #chickenofthetrees pic.twitter.com/TJ3uB8pooZ
— indseyLayarrisonGay 🥩 🧂 🍳 🌞 (@LinZG83) January 24, 2022
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission nonnative fish and wildlife program coordinator Sarah Funck explained that iguanas are not built to handle cold temperatures.
“Depending on temperature and the amount of time cold temperatures are sustained, iguanas can be cold-stunned or even killed,” Funck stated. “When we reach near-freezing or freezing temperatures, iguanas can sometimes fall from trees and lie stiff on the ground.”
She warned that residents could be in for a surprise if they bring them inside their homes because they warm up quickly.
“Iguanas are wild animals, and once they recover and warm up, they could act defensively,” Funck said. “Iguanas have sharp teeth, claws, and a long tail that they may use to protect themselves when acting defensively which can potentially be a safety risk.”
Iguanas are invasive species in Florida
Green iguanas first arrived in South Florida in the 1960s when they were brought to the state from Central and South America as pets.
Pet owners released them into the wild and their population began to grow because they have no natural predators in Florida.
A male iguana can grow to be five feet long and weigh nearly 20 pounds.
They are an invasive species to the state that has become a nuisance to homeowners.
Iguanas can burrow in yards, eat plants, and even cause sidewalks to collapse from the burrowing.
Humans can contract Salmonella from them.
Yoga instructor Anamargret Sanchez had a student who was the victim of an iguana that fell from a tree during a cold snap in Miami.
“It was a really beautiful day,” Sanchez recalled. “I kept saying, ‘Don’t forget to look up at the beautiful trees and the beautiful sky.'”
Her student Michael was in a yoga pose when an iguana fell from a tree and struck him in the face.
“There’s a giant iguana that is the king of that frickin’ park. I have seen it chase squirrels,” Sanchez said. “These two iguanas were having a moment in the tree, and I guess the smaller one was like, What the hell? I’m getting out of here! and jumped or was pushed — I don’t know what the heck happened — I guess it might’ve lost its footing, and then fell onto this man’s face.”
Michael was bleeding and had his eye swollen shut after he was struck by the iguana.
Living in Florida brings a different set of challenges in the winter.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this story.
