The National Weather Service Miami has warned people to watch for falling iguanas, as temperatures are expected to drop into the 40s or even 30s at night freezing the cold-blooded lizards and eventually forcing them to drop from trees.
"This isn't something we usually forecast, but don't be surprised if you see iguanas falling from the trees tonight as lows drop into the 30s and 40s. Brrrr!" the service said on Twitter. "Iguanas are cold-blooded. They slow down and become immobile when temps drop into the 40s. They may fall from trees, but they are not dead,” it continued.
Iguanas cannot sustain their body temperature and are unable to withstand temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, causing them to go into a kind of slow motion and eventually become completely numb.
When temperatures hit below 45 degrees, the animals go into a state of hibernation or cold-stunned state. They become entirely still, and only their most basic vital functions remain in operation. If they are exposed for too long—over eight hours—to such cold, they may die—but not before falling out of any trees they happen to be in.
Adult males can reach a length of 5 feet and weigh up to 20 pounds, so the risk of a falling iguana is something to be taken seriously.
It's not just iguanas that are susceptible to cold—sea turtles also reportedly freeze up from time to time—but of course they don't carry the risk of falling from trees.