A rare cold snap in Florida has left thousands of iguanas ‘cold stunned’ and some falling from trees. The state’s wildlife agency says they are safe to catch.
Reptiles like iguanas are ectotherms, meaning their internal body temperature is affected by the outside climate. When they get too cold – temperatures in Florida drop below 50F (10C) – their internal processes slow down, causing a phenomenon known as ‘cold stunning’.
Florida’s wildlife agency is asking people to capture the iguanas, which are an invasive species not native to the state, but are stable. He says more than 2,000 cold-stunned iguanas have been handed over to authorities so far.
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