As temperatures dip into the 30s in Fort Myers tonight, watch out for frozen reptile showers.
It may sound like a joke, but it’s a reality for Southwest Florida. When temperatures drop below 40 degrees, iguanas can freeze and fall from the trees in which they rest.
Here’s what you need to know about the risk of iguana rain this week.
How cold will it be this week?
Accuweather shows temperatures will drop 34 degrees in Fort Myers on Wednesday night. The low on Wednesday night will be 46° with a high of 69° on Thursday and a low of 52°.
Do Iguanas Really Freeze and Fall from Trees?
Yes! Our invasive iguanas cannot tolerate cold climates, so when temperatures drop below 40 degrees, the reptiles become bewildered. This can cause their bodies to freeze, causing them to fall from trees. But they’re not dead!
A few years ago, Florida had a Christmas so cold it almost rained iguanas.
Typically, frozen iguanas are most common in January.
What should I do if I see a frozen iguana?
Leave it alone! Once the temperature rises again, the iguana wakes up and is back to normal.
Iguanas have sharp teeth and claws, so keep your distance. If an iguana feels threatened, it may attack you.
If you see a frozen iguana, feel free to take a photo and email it to Kendall.Little@NaplesNews.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Do iguanas actually freeze and fall from trees in Florida?
