Print Print    Close Close

Florida's iguanas might fall from trees, hit people amid cold front

By Sarah Rumpf-Whitten

Published December 22, 2022

Fox News
Winter blast wreaking havoc on holiday travel as storm sweeps across US Video

Iguanas might begin falling from trees in Florida as the Sunshine State is hit with unusually cold conditions.

Iguanas are cold-blooded and rely on the sun and natural heat from their surroundings to keep warm.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, the lizards become sluggish once temperatures dip below 50 degrees. 

This weekend, much of Florida is expected to dip into the 30s. 

FLORIDA ENCOURAGES HOMEOWNERS TO KILL GREEN IGUANAS 'ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY'

Most lizards in Florida are not native to the U.S. and are used to the warmer climates in Central and South America. 

Despite this, most remain alive as they keep breathing and their main body functions continue working. Once temperatures rise, the lizards "thaw out."  

An iguana that froze

An iguana that froze lies near a pool after falling from a tree in Boca Raton, Florida in 2021. (Frank Cerabino/Palm Beach Post via AP)

Footage and images from 2020 and 2021 show iguanas frozen on homeowners lawns and beside their pools.

The green iguanas are not the only reptiles that can be stunned by this weekend’s cold snap: Sea turtles may also stiffen, appearing dead but often are still alive.

CLICK HERE TO GET TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a U.S. Writer at Fox News Digital.

Sarah joined FOX in 2021, where she has assisted on coverage of breaking and major news events across the US and around the world, including the fallout following the "Defund the police" movement, the assassination attempts on President Donald Trump's life and illegal immigration.

She has experience reporting on topics including crime, politics, business, lifestyle, world news and more. You can follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Print Print    Close Close

URL

https://www.foxnews.1eye.us/us/floridas-iguanas-might-fall-from-trees-hit-people-amid-cold-front

  • Home
  • Video
  • Politics
  • U.S.
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • World
  • Sports
  • Weather
  • Privacy
  • Terms

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.Do Not Sell my Personal Information - New Terms of Use - FAQ