(Dan Tri) - The temperature in Florida (USA) is around 4 degrees Celsius, causing many iguanas to go into cold shock. They were sleeping in trees, then became paralyzed and fell to the ground like rain.
Iguanas falling from trees to the ground during cold weather has become a common sight in Florida, USA. It is even regularly reported in weather forecasts. So why do these reptiles react to the cold this way?
In recent days, the temperature in Florida has been around 4 degrees Celsius. Scenes of iguanas falling to the ground like rain have appeared in many places. According to zoological experts, this phenomenon is completely normal.
It's 4 degrees Celsius outside, iguanas in shock are clinging to trees and falling like rain ( Video source: Florida News)
Green iguanas are cold-blooded animals. They have trouble maintaining their body temperature in cold weather. The drop in temperature puts them into a temporary state of torpor, a type of paralysis. This causes their joints to stiffen in the cold, making them lose their grip on branches and fall.
Cold shock, which can lead to paralysis, typically strikes species when temperatures drop to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, said Joe Wasilewski, a conservation biologist at the University of Florida. The cold weather also affects reptiles that are not native to Florida, such as pythons and alligators.
"The green iguana's original habitat, which spans from southern Mexico to central Brazil and Bolivia, is tropical. Their optimal body temperature ranges from 29 to 35 degrees Celsius.
When the outdoor temperature is 4 degrees Celsius or below, the iguanas' metabolism slows down and they start falling out of the trees," biologist Joe analyzed.
Green iguanas were introduced to Florida in the 1960s. Their populations have increased since the 1990s, partly due to a lack of natural predators.
Iguanas falling from trees can be dangerous to people and damage vehicles. Local authorities have repeatedly warned people about this.
The National Weather Service also encourages people to be aware of their surroundings. If you see an iguana lying on the ground due to cold shock, leave it alone. It will recover and become active again when the weather warms up.
The green iguana is a species of lizard in the iguana family. This animal is native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. With its unique appearance, in many places around the world , including Vietnam, people enjoy keeping them as exotic pets.
With a jade green color, this species is hunted by pet owners. In Vietnam, they are also known as South American dragons, priced from several million to several tens of millions of VND depending on color, size and rarity.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/doi-song/ngoai-troi-4-do-c-cu-da-soc-lanh-dang-bam-tren-cay-roi-rung-nhu-mua-20241224123019386.htm
Comment (0)