Most of America is currently experiencing a depth of cold climate scientists describe as god damn ridiculous. Seriously, it’s like the White Walkers crossed the border from Canada armed with Mr. Freeze’s ice guns, but colder. And to give you an idea of just how nightmarish and widespread this chill is, iguanas are currently falling out of trees in Florida like frozen reptile ice cubes. But don’t worry, they’re probably not dead.
We first came across this story at The New York Times, and this weird phenomenon could be seen when Palm Beach Post columnist Frank Cerabino found a frozen iguana near his pool in Boca Raton in Florida, where the temperature has been been hitting the 30s and 40s. This iguana definitely looks like it frozen to death.
The scene at my backyard swimming pool this 40-degree South Florida morning: A frozen iguana. pic.twitter.com/SufdQI0QBx
— Frank Cerabino (@FranklyFlorida) January 4, 2018
Apparently what happens is the iguanas, which are not native to the southern part of the state, climb the trees at night, but when it gets so cold their bodies shut down. They then “freeze” and lose their grip on the tree, falling to the ground like green-tailed icicles. But don’t be too sad, because once they warm up they spring back to life.
The frozen iguana petrified next to my South Florida swimming pool yesterday, reanimated himself in the afternoon sun. Here he is walking it off … After another cold night, though, he's probably a green popsicle again this morning. pic.twitter.com/nOept7ksJT
— Frank Cerabino (@FranklyFlorida) January 5, 2018
That’s why some folks have been trying to move the cold creatures to warmer spots. (And if that doesn’t sound very heroic, look at the size of this one and ask if you’d be willing to be there when it suddenly wakes up in a strange place to find you’re carrying it by the tail.)
STUNNED IGUANA: It was cold enough in Florida to temporarily 'freeze' iguanas in West Palm Beach. This one was being moved from a parking lot so it could warm up out of harm's way. 🦎STORY: https://t.co/oo8ryJOLI6 pic.twitter.com/RAtFCwAhja
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) January 5, 2018
Would you have known these iguanas were still alive? What would you do to try and wake one up? Tell us in the comments below.
Featured Image: Paramount Pictures
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