Thousands of iguanas have fallen from trees across Florida in the past 24 hours. As temperatures drop into the 40s or lower, iguanas become cold-stunned, temporarily losing muscle control and tumbling from branches. 🦎❄️

By557646pwpadmin

The “Deep Freeze” of February 2026

This isn’t your average Florida “chill.” Over the last few days, an intense cold front swallowed the Sunshine State, bringing record-breaking lows:

  • Miami: Hit 35°F, the coldest reading since at least 1909.

  • Orlando: Plunged to 24°F, its lowest February temperature since 1923.

  • Key Biscayne: Recorded 37°F, potentially the coldest morning in the island’s recorded history.

Why They Fall: The Science of Torpor

Because iguanas are ectotherms (cold-blooded), they rely on external heat to function.

  • The Threshold: Once temperatures dip below 50°F, their metabolism slows down significantly.

  • The “Stun”: Below 40°F, their nervous system essentially shuts down to protect their core organs. They lose their muscle grip on tree branches and tumble to the ground in a state of torpor.

  • The Danger: While most survive the fall and “thaw out” once the sun hits them, prolonged exposure to temperatures in the 30s can be fatal.

The “Great Iguana Roundup”

For the first time ever, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) turned this environmental disaster into a strategic opportunity. Under Executive Order 26-03, the state temporarily allowed residents to collect and transport live, cold-stunned iguanas without a permit on February 1 and 2.

  • 5,195 Iguanas: That is the official tally of reptiles turned in to FWC drop-off sites over the weekend.

  • The “Sunrise” Record: A single office in Sunrise, FL, received nearly 3,900 iguanas in two days.

  • The Outcome: While some were transferred to permit holders for sale outside of the state, many were humanely euthanized to help manage the invasive population that has been destroying native ecosystems and local infrastructure.

⚠️ A Word of Warning for Locals

As temperatures begin to climb back into the 60s and 70s today, the “sleeping” iguanas on your lawn are waking up.

  1. Don’t bring them inside: People often try to “save” them by bringing them into a warm house or car. When they thaw out, they can become aggressive, using their sharp teeth, claws, and whip-like tails to defend themselves in a confined space.

  2. Watch your head: A 10-pound lizard falling from a 30-foot oak tree can cause serious injury (or a very expensive car repair).

  3. Check your pets: Cold-stunned iguanas are easy targets for dogs, but they can carry bacteria and parasites that are harmful if ingested.