Not kidding! When the temperature hits 45 degrees in south Florida, several National Weather Service stations in Florida issue “unofficial” Falling Iguana Alerts. They say that iguanas, which are an invasive species in Florida, are not equipped to handle the cold weather. When temperatures dip down into the 40s, the cold-blooded iguanas can become slow, sluggish, and/or immobilized. Below 45 degrees, residents are warned to watch for stunned lizards to end up on lawns and sidewalks, and drop down from the trees they like to inhabit.
Sure enough, my friend, Carolyn, reported that her husband Marty found a “frozen” iguana that had fallen off when he opened their garage door a couple of mornings ago. Thinking they might name him, Frosty, they decided not to keep him after all. No word on what happened to the little monster after it warmed into the 60s.
However, I do believe they were smart enough to heed this warning: Michael Ronquillo, owner of Humane Iguana Control of Miami “We highly advise not bringing iguanas inside to warm up if you find them non-responsive due to cold weather, as when they wake up, it can become a nightmare in your home.” Can you imagine? But yes, I know there are people so into animals that this is a possibility.
No one has to worry about that with me or Randy. Ugh.
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