Floridians and iguanas

ZEROPILOT

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They get stunned by the cold. Not initially killed.
But if they don't get warm, by the third day, they are indeed dead.
I rounded up about 10 at work with a blue tailed green Cuban anole.
I placed them in our electrical "switch" room at work.
The transformers keep the room warm.
When I left at 2:30, four of the iguanas were slowly moving around. The rest I'm pretty sure we're dead.
I left a tray of water in there.
I'm half expecting to see all of them go flying out of there when I open the room back up on Monday.
I hope that eventually the colder weather survives will have offspring that can also survive a little colder temps and eventually get a Florida strain that can live through these times.
As it is, at least 90% die from these rare cold waves.
The largest seem to die first. It's been many years since I've seen an honest 6 footer.
This is a little guy that was found in my shop a few months back
 

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CharlieM

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I saw a cane/Bufo toad crawling in slow motion trying to get warm in broad day light. We usually see several dead ones with nighttime temps in the 30s. There are lots of iguanas in my town but I don’t usually see many where I live.
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
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I'm not sure anyone not living in south Florida can appreciate just how common these things are...
Last year. Maybe two years ago, one of our tradesmen came in to have his truck repaired. He excitedly told me about a tame and friendly iguana he had found. It was quite cold so he placed the 2 foot lizard inside his jacket.
It had warmed up...And when he reached in to pull out the thing to show it off, it viciously bit his hand and ripped up his face as he came out.
These are lessons us Floridians know.
 

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ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
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I saw a cane/Bufo toad crawling in slow motion trying to get warm in broad day light. We usually see several dead ones with nighttime temps in the 30s. There are lots of iguanas in my town but I don’t usually see many where I live.
They seem to congregate near water and canal systems.
 

wellington

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A few years back while visiting FL we seen them all over. It was so cool seeing them. Common sense would tell ya they are wild and to not mess with them. Sadly some people don't have common sense.
However, in these times of unusual cold, they do need human help. Because they are wild and yes, can do some damage to you, is the reason it's recommended to pull them out into the sun. As long as you know the damage they can do when fully awake and healthy, should you try to do more for them. Otherwise, just pull them into the sun.
I sure hope more survive then don't.
 

wellington

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They get stunned by the cold. Not initially killed.
But if they don't get warm, by the third day, they are indeed dead.
I rounded up about 10 at work with a blue tailed green Cuban anole.
I placed them in our electrical "switch" room at work.
The transformers keep the room warm.
When I left at 2:30, four of the iguanas were slowly moving around. The rest I'm pretty sure we're dead.
I left a tray of water in there.
I'm half expecting to see all of them go flying out of there when I open the room back up on Monday.
I hope that eventually the colder weather survives will have offspring that can also survive a little colder temps and eventually get a Florida strain that can live through these times.
As it is, at least 90% die from these rare cold waves.
The largest seem to die first. It's been many years since I've seen an honest 6 footer.
This is a little guy that was found in my shop a few months back
Give us an update when you get back on Monday. Hopefully they all will have recovered. Be careful when you open that door.
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
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Give us an update when you get back on Monday. Hopefully they all will have recovered. Be careful when you open that door.
Kelly and I went a little south (Hollywood) today along a road that is always filled with iguanas along the shoulder.
I did see just one. But he was eating weeds and didn't look sick.
So at least as far north as south Broward county, some have survived. It can only mean better news for populations further south towards Miami.
It's not likely to be any colder.
 
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