Iguanas Freeze and Fall from Trees in South Florida

Frigid temperatures cause cold-blooded reptiles to become stunned and immobilized

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:15pm

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A cold snap over the weekend in South Florida resulted in a peculiar phenomenon where iguanas, a common sight in the region, literally fell from trees after becoming stunned and immobilized by the frigid temperatures. Videos showed the reptiles lying on the ground, frozen from the cold.

Why it matters

Iguanas are an invasive species in Florida that can disrupt local ecosystems. While the cold weather event was unusual, it highlights the challenges posed by non-native species adapting to changing climate conditions in the state.

The details

Temperatures in cities like Miami dropped into the mid-to-low 30s, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a severe weather advisory. The cold temperatures caused the iguanas, which are cold-blooded and adapted to tropical climates, to freeze up and become stunned. Videos showed the reptiles lying motionless on the ground after falling from trees. Typically, removing invasive iguanas from the wild requires a permit, but an executive order from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allowed people to collect the stunned iguanas and bring them to FWC offices.

  • On February 1, the National Weather Service issued a severe weather advisory for South Florida due to 'very cold temperatures' from 11 p.m. on February 1 to 9 a.m. on February 2.
  • On February 1, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued an executive order allowing people to remove live, cold-stunned green iguanas from the wild without a permit.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency that issued a severe weather advisory for South Florida due to the cold temperatures.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The state agency that issued an executive order allowing people to collect stunned iguanas without a permit.

Green iguanas

An invasive species of iguana found in South Florida that are not adapted to cold temperatures and became stunned and immobilized by the frigid weather.

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What’s next

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will continue to monitor the situation and provide guidance to residents on how to handle the stunned iguanas.

The takeaway

This unusual weather event highlights the challenges posed by invasive species like iguanas in Florida, which are not adapted to handle sudden drops in temperature. It also demonstrates the importance of having emergency plans and executive orders in place to address the impacts of extreme weather on local wildlife.