Cold Snap Incoming For Florida: Expect Chilly Mornings And Dropping Iguanas

Florida’s Iguanas Will Be ‘Fainting’ Again

You know it’s actually cold in the South when you see reports of iguanas falling out of trees. You read that correctly: Falling iguana season has officially arrived in Florida, that short window of time each winter when temperatures dip low enough to turn the state’s tree-dwelling reptiles into stiff, stunned statues.

It’s one of those “only in Florida” moments that never fails to baffle the rest of the country, so let's explain.

Iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, which means they depend on external heat sources like sunshine and warm temperatures to regulate their bodies. When the air dips below about 50 degrees, their metabolism slows dramatically. Their muscles stop working properly, and their grip on tree branches loosens. That results in a surprising (slightly comedic) plop to the ground.

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But don't panic. They’re not dead, just frozen in place. Think of it like their bodies hitting the pause button until the sun returns. Once temperatures rise again, they slowly “defrost,” regain movement and wander off as if nothing happened. It’s nature’s very own reptilian reboot.

It’s also worth remembering that these iguanas aren’t native to Florida. The green iguana, along with a few related species, originally came from Central and South America, where they're use to much warmer weather.

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Luckily, this latest cold snap will be short-lived. By midweek, temperatures are expected to climb again, the iguanas will be back in the trees and South Florida will return to its regularly scheduled sunshine.

So if you see a few iguana popsicles on the ground as you go about your week, don’t worry, they’ll thaw out soon.

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.