Cold weather in Florida causes iguanas to freeze and fall from trees

The new year came in with extreme Cold Weather across the United States even in places that are typically warm. Those who hosted the New Year's Eve event in New York were bundled up and constantly talked about how cold they were. The temperature dropped far below than it has ever been in some states. The Weather Channel reported that snow fell in Tallahassee, Florida for the first time in 28 years.

While the public found that to be interesting, there is something else that is even most interesting.

Iguanas falling from trees

It has been so cold in Florida that iguanas are literally freezing and falling from trees. Temperatures registered below 40 degrees Fahrenheit last week in some parts of South Florida. That was cold enough to freeze the green iguanas that are popular in that part of the country.

Residents posted photos of frozen iguanas on their property and on the sidewalks. Most of the reptiles were photographed with their backs on the ground and their bellies up. WPEC-TV posted images of the cold-blooded reptiles on their back on a Palm Beach County road.

It is fortunate that the frozen iguanas have a good chance of thawing if they are moved in the sun. However, people are advised to leave them alone because they might feel threatened and will bite if they warm up. Kristen Sommers of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says not to assume they are dead. She says it is normal for the cold-blooded iguanas to freeze if the temperatures go below 50 degrees. They can't move when they get cold enough to freeze. Therefore, they fall from the trees where they have been perched.

Frozen reptiles

The species which are accustomed to warm tropical climates are struggling to survive because their bodies aren't adapted to being cold. Sommers announced that the wildlife commission is beginning to offer workshops to train property managers to catch iguanas especially when it's cold.

The workshops are available because green iguanas are known for eating through landscaping and damaging property. The species can grow to over 5 feet long. Their droppings can be a possible source of salmonella bacteria that causes intestinal illness.

The Florida iguanas are not the only reptiles affected by last week's cold weather. Sea turtles also stiffened up during the low temperatures. Biologists often rescue the sea turtles that are found on the water or near the shore. The same rescue mission is not available for the green iguanas.

What do you think about the cold weather that caused the iguanas in Florida to freeze and fall from trees? How cold has it been where you live?