Summary
Florida officials have given advice to residents about cold-stunned iguanas after temperatures dropped significantly. When it gets very cold, iguanas can temporarily lose muscle control and fall from trees. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shared guidance on handling these situations.
Key Facts
- Florida experienced a significant drop in temperatures.
- When it gets near freezing, green iguanas can lose muscle control and fall from trees.
- The FWC advises people not to bring cold-stunned iguanas inside homes or cars because they can recover quickly and might become defensive.
- People should not let pets interact with these iguanas.
- Releasing green iguanas, a nonnative and prohibited species in Florida, is illegal without a permit.
- Green iguanas were first reported in Florida in the 1960s and have since established populations along both coasts.
- Iguanas are not cold-hardy, so they struggle to establish populations in northern parts of Florida.
- South Florida's canals help iguanas spread to new areas.
