{"id":101524,"date":"2025-12-31T19:43:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T19:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/101524\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T19:43:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T19:43:08","slug":"why-do-iguanas-fall-from-trees-when-its-cold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/101524\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Iguanas Fall From Trees When It’s Cold?"},"content":{"rendered":"

While overzealous South Floridians are\u00a0preparing for the new year by breaking out their puffer coats and Uggs<\/a>, which many do anytime the temperature flirts with the 60s, something even more cartoonish is happening: Frozen iguanas are falling out of trees.<\/p>\n

Yes, you read that right:\u00a0Iguanas. Plummeting. From. Trees.<\/a><\/p>\n

A word to the uninitiated: Before you start picturing a scaly apocalypse, let\u2019s clear up why these Jurassic Park extras are falling from the sky and why Floridians seem to roll with it like everything\u2019s normal. The temperature dropped to the 40s early Wednesday morning, which seasoned Miami-area residents know means it\u2019ll be chilly with a chance of raining iguanas. Or would it be hailing iguanas?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Any time the weather drops, South Floridians, ever the chroniclers of weird weather phenomena, immediately take to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to share proof of the fossilized miniature dinosaurs.\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMiami, make your New Year\u2019s Resolution Count!\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWe\u2019re $14,500 away from reaching our $30,000 year-end fundraising goal. Your support could be what pushes us over the top. If our work has kept you informed, helped you understand a complex issue, or better connected you to your community, please consider making a contribution today.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) also posted on X about the phenomenon. FWC advises the public not to bring stunned animals indoors, keep them away from household pets, and avoid relocating them.<\/p>\n

Iguanas in the forecast?
When temps drop to near-freezing or below, nonnative green iguanas can temporarily go into a state of torpor, losing all muscle control, and sometimes even falling out of trees (!). <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what NOT to do if you come across a cold-stunned iguana:\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/UVmGvqSFis<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MyFWC (@MyFWC) December 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Florida today\u2026 don\u2019t step on the fallen iguanas. They aren\u2019t dead. They are just hibernating,\u201d one user wrote.<\/p>\n

Another post, featuring a motionless iguana reluctantly resting on a paved road, was more succinct: \u201cSouth Florida temperature gauge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Falling Iguanas: The Science of the Drop<\/p>\n

Green iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, meaning their internal thermostat depends entirely on the weather. When it\u2019s sunny and 75, they live their best lives, sprawling across seawalls and feasting on nickerbean (AKA\u00a0gray nicker<\/a>), the host plant of the endangered Miami blue butterfly. But when the mercury\u00a0falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it\u2019s game over \u2013 or at least a temporary pause. The iguana\u2019s body goes into a cold-induced paralysis, leaving it frozen in place or, more often than one might imagine, falling out of trees.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This phenomenon, known as \u201ccold-stunning,\u201d explains why your backyard may suddenly resemble an iguana obstacle course during a Florida cold snap.
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

An adult green iguana<\/p>\n

Photo by Dr. Steve A. Johnson<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

What Should I Do if I See a Frozen Iguana?<\/p>\n

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)<\/a>, it\u2019s best to let nature take its course. Don\u2019t bring a cold-stunned iguana indoors \u2013 it might recover quickly and, once thawed (as it were), might not appreciate your hospitality.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The FWC encourages homeowners to humanely euthanize iguanas on their property, as they\u2019re considered an invasive species. But the agency-specified killing methods<\/a>\u00a0[Editor\u2019s note:\u00a0Don\u2019t say we didn\u2019t warn you] \u2014 i.e., a two-step process that requires an air gun or captive bolt, followed by a\u00a0screwdriver through the skull \u201cusing deliberate, multi-directional movement, ensuring destruction of the entire brain\u201d \u2014 might not be your idea of a fun cold-weather family activity.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the FWC has declared green iguanas a \u201cProhibited Species,\u201d banning the sale, breeding, and ownership of new pets with few exceptions. Existing pet owners must microchip their iguanas and apply for permits.<\/p>\n

A Quirky Florida Reality<\/p>\n

While an iguana landing on you might feel like a scene straight out of a cartoon, Zoo Miami communications director Ron Magill says you\u2019re more likely to be bitten by a stray dog. Some unfortunate souls \u2013 like the Miami yogi whose savasana was interrupted by a\u00a020-pound green iguana to the noggin\u00a0\u2013 might argue otherwise.<\/p>\n

So, as South Floridians look forward to the inevitable (if occasional) winter chill, remember to grab your sweater and keep an eye on the trees because there\u2019s always a chance for a passing cold front to bring scattered iguana showers.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n