FWC offers advice on dealing with cold weather stunned falling iguanas
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
My FWC
Cold temps=cold-stunned iguanas
When temperatures in south Florida get close to freezing, nonnative green iguanas can become cold stunned and fall off trees, entering a state of physical inactivity where their muscle-control shuts down temporarily. Green iguanas are not native to Florida and are considered an invasive species due to their impacts to native wildlife and infrastructure damage caused by burrowing/digging.
If you encounter cold-stunned wild iguanas:
Don’t bring wild green iguanas into your home or your car – they can recover quickly in warm temps and use their long tails and sharp teeth & claws when defensive. Also keep in mind that people cannot be in possession of live green iguanas without a permit as they are a Prohibited species in Florida.
Don’t relocate or release green iguanas (or any nonnative species) – it is illegal and can harm native wildlife.
Homeowners can humanely kill green iguanas. Iguanas, like all nonnative, invasive species, are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law. If you are not able to safely remove iguanas from your property using humane methods, please seek assistance from a professional wildlife trapper.
More information about iguanas, technical assistance for homeowners – including techniques to discourage iguanas from frequenting your property, and a list of wildlife trappers can be found at MyFWC.com/Iguana.
You can report sightings of nonnative species in Florida at IveGot1.org.
‘Falling iguanas possible’ in Florida due to cold temperatures, NWS says