Photo by Dr. Steve A. Johnson
Audio By Carbonatix
While overzealous Miamians are breaking out their puffer coats and Uggs, which many do anytime the temperature flirts with the 60s, something even more cartoonish is happening: Frozen iguanas are falling out of trees.
Yes, you read that right: Iguanas. Plummeting. From. Trees.
A word to the uninitiated: Before you start picturing a scaly apocalypse, let’s clear up why these Jurassic Park extras are falling from the sky and why Floridians seem to roll with it like everything’s normal. The temperature dropped to the 40s early Tuesday morning, which seasoned Miami-area residents know means it’ll be chilly with a chance of raining iguanas. Or would it be hailing iguanas?
South Floridians, ever the chroniclers of weird weather phenomena, immediately took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to share proof of the fossilized miniature dinosaurs.
When news happens, Miami New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
“South Florida today… don’t step on the fallen iguanas. They aren’t dead. They are just hibernating,” one user wrote.
Another post, featuring a motionless iguana reluctantly resting on a paved road, was more succinct: “South Florida temperature gauge.”
Falling Iguanas: The Science of the Drop
Green iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, meaning their internal thermostat depends entirely on the weather. When it’s sunny and 75, they live their best lives, sprawling across seawalls and feasting on nickerbean (AKA gray nicker), the host plant of the endangered Miami blue butterfly. But when the mercury falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s game over – or at least a temporary pause. The iguana’s body goes into a cold-induced paralysis, leaving it frozen in place or, more often than one might imagine, falling out of trees.
This phenomenon, known as “cold-stunning,” explains why your backyard may suddenly resemble an iguana obstacle course during a Florida cold snap.
An adult green iguana Photo by Dr. Steve A. Johnson
What Should I Do if I See a Frozen Iguana?
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), it’s best to let nature take its course. Don’t bring a cold-stunned iguana indoors – it might recover quickly and, once thawed (as it were), might not appreciate your hospitality.
The FWC encourages homeowners to humanely euthanize iguanas on their property, as they’re considered an invasive species. But the agency-specified killing methods [Editor’s note: Don’t say we didn’t warn you] — i.e., a two-step process that requires an air gun or captive bolt, followed by a screwdriver through the skull “using deliberate, multi-directional movement, ensuring destruction of the entire brain” — might not be your idea of a fun cold-weather family activity.
Furthermore, the FWC has declared green iguanas a “Prohibited Species,” banning the sale, breeding, and ownership of new pets with few exceptions. Existing pet owners must microchip their iguanas and apply for permits.
A Quirky Florida Reality
While an iguana landing on you might feel like a scene straight out of a cartoon, Zoo Miami communications director Ron Magill says you’re more likely to be bitten by a stray dog. Some unfortunate souls – like the Miami yogi whose savasana was interrupted by a 20-pound green iguana to the noggin – might argue otherwise.
So, as South Floridians look forward to the inevitable (if occasional) winter chill, remember to grab your sweater and keep an eye on the trees because there’s always a chance for a passing cold front to bring scattered iguana showers.
