Residents across the Gulf Coast and Southeast are bracing for a significant drop in temperatures, with meteorologists saying temperatures could drop between 10º and 25º below the typical temperatures for January. Should the cold wave evolve to its full potential, maximum temperature departures could plunge 30º to 40º below the historical average. The Arctic air is making its way across Florida, with highs in the 50s, marking a dramatic shift for the region. This sudden cold snap brings with it an annual hazard: cold-stunned iguanas falling from trees. The cold-blooded reptiles become immobile and can lose their grip on branches when temperatures drop below their tolerance threshold. Green iguanas, introduced to Florida decades ago from Central and South America, are not adapted to temperatures below 45º, and generally begin to get sluggish once the temperature drops below 50º. Temperatures below the mid-40s send iguanas into a dormant or cold-stunned state, causing them to sometimes fall out of trees where they go to sleep. They appear to be dead, but they’re not. They continue breathing, with critical body functions still operating. When fully grown, iguanas can be up to 5 feet long and weigh up to 25 pounds. Such large lizards falling from trees can cause injury to unsuspecting humans who don't normally prepare for raining reptiles. While the sight of an iguana on the ground can seem bizarre, experts advise against moving them. The best thing to do is just leave them alone. The iguanas will typically recover when temperatures rise back to around 50 F. However, prolonged extreme cold can be fatal for the reptiles. Residents are encouraged to take preventative measures such as wrapping trees, which makes them difficult to climb, and trimming branches away from properties. They are also warned against handling cold-stunned iguanas because they can become defensive once they warm up and regain mobility.
