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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Temperatures aren’t the only thing expected to plummet in Florida during next week’s cold snap. Residents may find iguanas falling from trees.
Tropical reptiles are notorious for turning into projectiles when their body temperature drops too low.
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After a warm weekend, temperatures in the Sunshine State are expected to drop to near (or below) freezing in some places, reaching 40 degrees as far south as Fort Myers. This could mean problems for the state’s invasive species, such as green iguanas, which are not adapted to colder climates.
Cold-blooded animals cannot regulate their own body temperature, so if they get too cold, they lose control of their muscles. This can cause you to fall if you haven’t hit the ground yet.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), iguanas are most commonly seen in the southern part of the state due to the warmer climate, but sightings have also been reported in Tampa Bay and as far north as Alachua County in north-central Florida.
According to the FWC, they can wreak havoc on ecosystems by feeding on native plants and small animals, as well as vegetation in home gardens and landscapes. Their burrows can damage infrastructure such as sidewalks and foundations.
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Iguanas also pose a health risk to humans through their feces, which can contaminate water and surfaces with salmonella.
The species, which can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh up to 17 pounds, is not protected in Florida except under animal cruelty laws and can be humanely killed on private land year-round. The FWC website has detailed information on how to humanely kill invasive reptiles.
