Overview

• Florida is bracing for a cold snap that could cause iguanas to fall from trees as they enter a state of torpor due to the low temperatures.
• The phenomenon occurs when temperatures drop below 40 degrees, causing the cold-blooded reptiles to become immobilized.
• Three species of iguanas, all invasive to Florida, are known to fall from trees during cold spells: the green iguana, the Mexican spinytail iguana, and the black spinytail iguana.
• The falling iguanas, particularly green iguanas, are a nuisance in Florida as they damage local vegetation, erode structures with their burrows, and leave droppings that may contain salmonella bacteria.
• Despite the potential danger, residents are advised not to touch the iguanas with bare hands, as even a very slow iguana can scratch severely unprotected hands and arms.