Temperature drop in Florida leaves many iguanas “stunned,” lying motionless on the ground.
“Iguana rain” has become a fairly common phenomenon in recent years, to the point where many joke that Florida has only two seasons: hurricane season and iguana falling season.
Iguanas in thermal shock falling from trees to the ground in Florida. (Photo: Mirror/Billy Corben).
When temperatures drop during winter, iguanas often climb to the tops of tall trees during the day to bask in the sun and warm their bodies. However, extremely cold weather can cause them to become stunned and immobile, causing them to fall to the ground like rain.
“They are still alive but have entered a state of paralysis. When the temperature warms up, these cold-blooded creatures will start to move again,” weather expert Vivian Gonzalez stated in a Twitter post.
According to Evening Standard, temperatures in some areas of Florida have recently dropped below 4°C. Residents of the state have easily spotted wild iguanas lying motionless on sidewalks and public lawns.
Iguanas are not native to Florida. They originated from Central America, tropical regions of South America, and some Caribbean islands. These reptiles were introduced to the state in the 1960s, but their numbers have rapidly increased due to favorable weather conditions.
Iguanas in Florida are relatively large. Adult males can grow to at least 1.5 meters in length and weigh an average of 9 kg. Females can lay nearly 80 eggs each year.
