Iguanas falling from trees during cold weather has become so common in Florida, it's even been included in weather forecasts. But why do these reptiles react this way to the cold?
Since they're cold-blooded, green iguanas (Iguana iguana) can struggle to maintain their body temperature in colder weather, putting them in a temporary torpor state. This is a type of paralysis that can cause them to lose muscle control — so they fall from their perches. The paralysis typically occurs when the weather dips into the 40s Fahrenheit, said Joe Wasilewski, a conservation biologist at the University of Florida. The cold weather affects other non-native reptiles in Florida too, like pythons and crocodiles, which often can't survive when the temperature drops.
