Florida Man Crafts 'Iguana Blanket' From Cold-Stunned Invasive Lizards

Rare freezing temperatures in Florida caused the state's invasive iguanas to shut down, leading one resident to collect the paralyzed reptiles for warmth.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Amidst a cold snap in Florida, the state's invasive green iguanas were falling from trees as their bodies shut down due to the lack of warmth. One Florida man decided to collect some of the cold-stunned lizards and made a "blanket" out of them to stay warm. The iguanas were not dead, but rather in a state of brumation, the reptile version of hibernation, as a defense mechanism against the cold temperatures.

Why it matters

Florida has struggled with its growing population of invasive green iguanas, which can cause property damage and pose risks to native wildlife. This incident highlights the unique challenges the state faces in managing the iguana population, especially during extreme weather events that can leave the cold-blooded reptiles vulnerable.

The details

In a viral video, an influencer shows a Florida man lying in a sunny parking lot, covered in dozens of cold-stunned iguanas. The man claims he was "trying to sleep" and that his personal temperature felt like 100 degrees due to the insulating iguanas. Some of the iguanas appeared to be regaining strength and were wiggling and crawling off the man. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had initially prohibited the public from handling cold-stunned iguanas, but on January 30th, they issued an executive order allowing people to collect and turn in the paralyzed lizards.

  • On January 30, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lifted a rule that prohibited the public from handling cold-stunned iguanas.
  • Over the weekend of February 1-2, Florida saw especially frigid temperatures, with Tampa dropping below 28 degrees, Orlando reaching 24 degrees, and Tallahassee dipping to 18 degrees.

The players

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The state agency responsible for managing Florida's wildlife, including the invasive green iguana population.

@Stackz

An influencer who posted the viral video of the Florida man covered in cold-stunned iguanas.

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What’s next

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will continue to monitor the state's invasive iguana population and provide guidance to residents on how to handle the reptiles during extreme weather events.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the unique challenges Florida faces in managing its growing population of invasive green iguanas, which can pose risks to both property and native wildlife. The state's willingness to adapt its policies during extreme weather events, like the recent cold snap, demonstrates its commitment to finding practical solutions to this ongoing environmental issue.