Cold-stunned iguanas fall from Florida trees
Residents in South Florida received an unusual weather warning this week, with temperatures plummeting so low that iguanas fell from the sky.
"This isn't something we usually forecast, but don't be surprised if you see Iguanas falling from the trees tonight as lows drop into the 30s and 40s (-1C to -4C). Brrrr!" National Weather Service Miami tweeted.
The National Weather Service routinely warns people about falling rain, snow and hail, but temperatures are dropping so low in South Florida the forecasters warned residents Tuesday about falling iguanas. (Twitter) Twitter
The low temperatures stun the invasive reptiles, but the iguanas won't necessarily die. That means many will wake up with warmer temperatures later in the week.
Iguanas are native to Central America, tropical parts of South America and some Caribbean islands.
A stunned iguana lies in the grass at Cherry Creek Park in Oakland Park, Florida. AP/AAP
The reptiles aren't dangerous or aggressive to humans, but they damage seawalls, sidewalks, landscape foliage and can dig lengthy tunnels.
The males can grow to at least 1.5 metres long and weigh nearly nine kilograms.
Female iguanas can lay nearly 80 eggs a year, and South Florida's warm climate is perfect for the prehistoric-looking animals.
An iguana that froze, fell from a tree and landed belly up along the edge of a pool. (Frank Cerabino/The Palm Beach Post) AP/AAP
Iguanas are allowed to be kept as pets in Florida but are not protected by any law except anti-cruelty to animals.
They've been in South Florida since the 1960s, but their numbers have increased dramatically in recent years.
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