When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, green iguanas in South Florida enter a cold-stunned state, appearing to be dead as they fall from trees.
MIAMI - It's a South Florida phenomenon that draws amusement from across the country — when temperatures drop below a certain level, cold-stunned iguanas start falling out of trees.While it may sound bizarre, it happens. And there's a scientific reason for it.Although several iguana species live in Florida , the predominant one is the green iguana, native to Central and South America.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, green iguanas are considered invasive in the state.Iguanas and cold temperaturesLike all reptiles, iguanas can't handle cold temperatures very well because they are cold-blooded, meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.Meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez said the coldest air of the season so far is forecast to arrive Wednesday morning, with lows falling to mostly the upper 40s. Some inland areas could see the mid-40s. Iguanas begin to get sluggish or lethargic once the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, said Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill. Once the temperature drops below the mid-40s, iguanas go into a dormant or cold-stunned state and sometimes fall out of trees where they perch. They appear to be dead, but they are not. They remain breathing with critical body functions still operating. Iguanas go into this cold-stunned state as a way of protecting themselves until the temperature warms back up above 50 degrees.Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill said cold weather effects on iguanas depends on the size of each specimen. The larger the iguana, the colder it can tolerate for longer periods, Magill said. Adult male iguanas can reach 5 feet in length, and weigh up to 20 pounds.Many iguanas in South Florida have adapted to going deep into burrows where they stay insulated from the cold. They also tend to live close to large bodies of water, which are usually warmer than the air temperatures, helping them survive short cold snap
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