It rained iguanas in Florida on Christmas Day

The record cold snap and snowstorms that have engulfed most of the United States have consequences not only for millions of residents, but also for local ecosystems. Over the Christmas weekend in Florida, the temperature dropped to -1 °C. Iguanas living in the south of the Sunny State, accustomed to a more tropical climate, literally freeze from the cold in such weather and fall from trees in an immobilized state.

Cold-blooded lizards rely only on heat from the environment and are not able to warm themselves. At night, iguanas usually sleep on branches, but at temperatures from -5 ° C and below, their joints harden, which leads to a fall. It is better not to be under a tree at this moment — an adult iguana can reach 1.5 m in length and weigh up to 10 kg.

Until it gets warmer, the frozen reptiles lie motionless on their backs with their paws curled up. When the temperature starts to rise, they gradually come to life. If you see such a picture in the morning, you can be scared. Although this has been happening in Florida for several years, and you won't surprise the locals anymore. The National Weather Service even makes unofficial forecasts about rain from iguanas.

As the researchers note, compared to last winters, there are noticeably fewer falling iguanas. They are probably starting to adapt to a lower temperature. But the situation with sea turtles is worrying. Last year in Texas, volunteers caught and took to rehabilitation several thousand individuals who were paralyzed from the cold and could not even keep their heads above water.