A dramatic temperature drop in Florida has led to a bizarre natural phenomenon, leaving invasive green iguanas 'cold-stunned' and immobilised across the state. Footage captured the reptiles lying motionless in grassy areas and on pavements beneath trees, appearing almost frozen in place.
The Science Behind the Stunning
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, prolonged cold weather can trigger a torpor-like state in reptiles and amphibians, including the non-native green iguanas. In this condition, the animals temporarily lose muscle control, become immobilised, and may even fall from trees where they typically reside.
An Invasive Species Problem
Green iguanas were accidentally introduced to Florida as stowaways on cargo ships and have since established themselves as a problematic invasive species. Their presence disrupts local ecosystems and requires ongoing management efforts by wildlife authorities.
Collection and Control Efforts
Pierce Kennamer, founder and president of IggyTrap, reported that he and his employees collected approximately 1,500 immobilised iguanas in Broward County alone following the cold snap. Some of these collected iguanas will be humanely killed as part of population control measures to mitigate their environmental impact.
This event highlights the complex challenges of managing invasive species in changing weather patterns, with wildlife experts monitoring the situation closely as temperatures fluctuate.
