Iguanas cannot stand the cold because they are cold-blooded, so when the temperature drops below about 45 degrees, their bodies go numb. They seem to be dead, but they are not. They remain breathing with critical bodily functions still in operation.
This phenomenon, mixed with the species’ tendency to sleep in trees, can create a big surprise for someone in a car or walking under a tree, and as some iguanas are large – adult males can reach 5 meters in length and weigh up to 20 meters. pounds – this can be dangerous for passersby.
The danger for the iguana arises when temperatures remain in the 40s for periods longer than eight hours. The invasive species is then at risk of death, especially the smaller ones.
“The temperature limit for when iguanas start to go into a dormant state depends a lot on the size of the iguana,” Ron Magill, Zoo Miami’s communications director told CNN, when temperatures dropped in January. “In general, the bigger the iguana, the colder it can tolerate for long periods.”
He also commented that many iguanas in South Florida have adapted to dig deep holes, so they are isolated from the cold. Iguanas also tend to live near large bodies of water, which can be hotter than the air temperature, so they can help them survive short periods of cold.