Cold Snap in Florida Expected to Cause 'Falling Iguanas'

As temperatures dip below 40 degrees, residents are warned of immobilized iguanas dropping from trees.

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.