Winters in Florida may seem like a sunny time, but in fact, cold temperatures can bring unique hazards to the sunshine state. Most notably, the last several years have seen the National Weather Service (NWS) warning local residents of frozen iguanas falling from nearby trees during the winter season. For one man, this phenomenon led to an interesting incident and a strange reversal of fortunes. (1)

Frozen Iguanas?

When temperatures hit the 30s and 40s, odd things can occur in normally warm climates – including frozen iguanas falling from trees. Why? Cold weather can slow or completely immobilize iguanas, making them prone to slipping-off tree branches where they typically reside.
If cold enough for long enough, an iguana can die from exposure. However, many do live and only have their temperatures drop, breathing halted, and body functions slowed by the cold. Therefore, falling iguanas are not dead per se – rather temporarily stunned. They are naturally cold-blooded animals after all! (1, 2)

When Iguanas De-Frost…

A few people have wondered what happens when frozen Iguanas come back to life. An NPR radio program from 2018 covers this topic through the story of a Floridian man who saw frozen iguanas as a food source. The gentleman, from Key Biscayne, saw numerous grey and cold iguanas on the side of the road. Knowing iguanas are a Central American delicacy he stopped to collect them, believing they were dead. Free meat! Why not? (3)

One Wild Ride

Once the driver loaded up his car with frozen iguanas, anticipating a large barbeque, he drove off. Of course, the heat in his vehicle was blasting and warmed up the iguanas. It seemed that all of sudden, he had a whole pack of iguanas running around his car, which, tragically, caused the man to crash. There was no report of how serious the accident was, or how the man managed the iguanas after that – but many animal experts agree the man should not have taken the animals out of their natural habitats. One conservationist told NPR radio, “Best thing to do is just let nature run its course. If they recover, they recover. If they do not, they do not.” Floridians are asked to not touch frozen iguanas as a general rule – even if they seem like the missing ingredient to your next dinner party.

Iguanas are not native to Florida and are primarily found in Central and South America. Instead, the lizards are generally considered a pest (frozen or otherwise) in Florida. Beyond the dangers of falling from trees, which can harm people and property, this invasive species can damage foundations, seawalls, and sidewalks by burrowing beneath them and leaving lizard droppings around homes. Up close, a live, or recently thawed, iguana can scratch or whip you with their tail causing physical injury too.

Overall, exercise caution if you ever see a frozen iguana in America’s southern states. Likely the little creature is still alive and should be left to recover on their own. (3) Give the little guy a break – he’s just chillin’ out until he warms back up again!