Floridians gather frozen iguanas by armload as frigid temps leave them paralyzed, dropping from trees
Florida residents are scooping up iguanas by the armload after a sudden cold snap left the cold-blooded reptiles virtually frozen in place—and tumbling from trees.
When temperatures drop, iguanas become immobile. In Florida, where an estimated 1 million of the creatures typically lounge in treetops, that means dozens can fall at once. “They’re like little bags of ice,” said Jessica Kilgore of Iguana Solutions, a nuisance animal removal service, as she lifted a 10-pound iguana.
Normally, Floridians aren’t allowed to handle the reptiles themselves, but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set up temporary collection sites across the panhandle due to the unusually harsh winter. Kilgore said she’s collected “hundreds of pounds worth” of iguanas along Hollywood, Fla., beaches.
“They’re so abundant you can pick them up like Easter eggs on the ground,” Kilgore told Local 10.
The FWC either transfers collected iguanas to licensed out-of-state sellers or humanely euthanizes them, though residents aren’t required to surrender the reptiles. “If you want to let them defrost, put them in the sun and they’ll scramble back up the trees,” Kilgore said. “If you want to help the environment, call FWC to find a drop-off site—they’ll handle it safely.”
Iguanas also hold cultural value in many communities, where people use the reptiles—and even their eggs—for food. “It’s easy snacks falling from trees this morning,” Kilgore joked.
Florida’s warm climate has allowed several invasive reptile species to thrive, often introduced through illegal pet trade. The state also contends with Burmese pythons and Argentine giant tegus. To help curb populations, the Florida government organizes events like the annual Florida Python Challenge.
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