Frozen Iguanas Fall from Florida Trees in Winter Chill

Green Iguanas are falling from trees in frosty Florida, the Sunshine State, as a rare cold snap holds much of the United States in unseasonably chilly temperatures. Floridians and tourists are shivering from the chill, as well as tumbling frozen iguanas, which seem to be landing on lawns, sidewalks and even car windshields in Florida.

This week, in Florida, these scaly iguanas have fallen from their tree branch homes. The frozen Green Iguanas are dropping like ... well, you know.

Why does Florida have so many Green Iguanas?

The Green Iguanas (tagged the Kamikaze Iguanas) are not native to the United States, but to more tropical regions of the world. However, these iguanas have run rampant in Florida, particularly in recent years. Animal control experts have hypothesized that the large Kamikaze Iguanas (Green Iguanas) may have migrated from many areas of the United States settled in Florida after private exotic pet owners have discarded them.

The Green Iguana has overpopulated in Florida, where temperatures are generally mild and conducive to the reptile's natural requirements for survival and breeding. And, one of the Green Iguana's favorite nesting spots of all is in the branches of a leafy tree, where the scaly creature may be both comfortable and camouflaged.

Why are Green Iguanas falling from trees in Florida?

The Green Iguana, a giant cold-blooded lizard, habitually enters hibernation when temperatures in its environment sink below 40 degrees (F). In these conditions, the iguana's metabolism slows, and the reptile enters a coma-like state. A potentially life-threatening symptom of this state - at least for tree-dwelling Green Iguanas - is the loss of muscle control. This, of course, is what leads to Kamikaze Iguanas (or Green Iguanas), frozen stiff, falling from trees in Florida.

This natural bodily defense mechanism protects the Green Iguana from hypothermia. As environmental temperatures rise again, the reptile warms up as well, coming out of the hibernation condition.

Other Florida lizard species naturally choose to hibernate underground, rather than in tree branches. These reptiles are more apt to weather the cold blast.

Are other creatures threatened by Florida's cold weather?

Manatees, sea turtles, fish, pythons and other tropical or exotic species are also affected by the Arctic blast. (Click here to read "The Manatee of Vanity.")

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials have warned the public to leave falling iguanas (and other exotic creatures) alone, rather than picking them up or trying to rescue them. After all, frozen iguanas may prove to be dangerous, even after falling from Florida's trees.

CTRL-click here to see a news video, showing Florida's frozen and falling lizards.