By Tom Leonard in New York, telegraph.co.uk
Record low temperatures in southern Florida have seen frozen iguanas falling out of the trees.
A stunned iguana lies on the floor after having fallen from a tree Photo: AP
The lizards go into a type of hibernation when the temperature drops below around 9 degrees C, all body functions but the heart switching off and blood flow cut to a minimum.
It means they lose their grip on branches and the creatures, which are common in the "sunshine state", plunge out of the trees.
The lizards, which can grow up to five feet long, then lie grey and appear dead until the temperature rises again, at which time they usually revive.
So-called "kamikaze" iguanas are an urban legend among Floridians but have become a common sight as temperatures have dropped almost to freezing.
"It's almost like they totally go to sleep. Generally speaking, if it warms up afterwards, they can recover," said Ron Magill of Miami Metrozoo.
The green iguana, originally from Central and South America, is not native to Florida.
It is regarded as one of the most invasive species since it was introduced into the ecosystem, probably by irresponsible pet owners, in the mid-1990s.
Some see the creatures' current predicament as an opportunity to cull the numbers of a plant-eating invader that is regarded as a fearless garden pest.
It is legal to kill iguanas in Florida but only if it is done humanely. "If somebody is looking to trap them, I guess right now would be a good time because they're not moving," said Tiffany Snow, a biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
With temperatures expected to fall even lower, many iguanas may not survive anyway, she said.
However, Mr Magill warned of the dangers of tackling the creatures in their current state.
"I knew of a gentleman who was collecting them off the street and throwing them in the back of his station wagon, and all of a sudden these things are coming alive, crawling on his back and almost causing a wreck," he said.
Save the iguanas! Save the iguanas! We must hurry and prevent global cooling before another iquana falls from his tree! The poor defenseless iguanas, another victim of us evil humans, frozen from their homes! Cutting emissions of greenhouse gasses, they'll go extint in 5-7 yrs! Er....Wait a min.......What was that about the polar bear......
I like how this story had to come from the Telegraph in the UK. Our domestic press has to squelch it like all other cold weather anomolies.
I am not into reptiles, but I learned how to appreciate the iguanas after writing an essay paper about them. Why are these animals dying? Climate change I guess is one of the reasons. What a pity.
Anybody know what iguana tastes like? I see a whole new franchise chain starting up thanks to global cooling, vis a vis "weather." FLORIDA FRIED IGUANA!
Freddy,
Much like Andy Anderson, I appreciate Iguanas as well......they are delicious. They have a texture similar to chicken but stringier with a bit of a reptilian (duh!!) flavor. Growing up on the plains of Montana we would eat rattle snakes. The flavor is similar but the texture is not as grainy or delicate. Mixture of Frog legs, snake & chicken and you are about there. Ate them roasted (the big fellas) fireside as well as in stews....prefer the later. If you want to be a hit for a super bowl party do the following. Treat yourself to Iguana.The TwinCities will have a specialty butcher that can get them out of Central America.
Cook some rice and get some tortillas ready. To the threesome of sweet onion, celery and garlic sauteed for 3 min in Oliveoil/butter add the following 1 green pepper, 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, 1 orange pepper (all diced finely)and up to 1 habanero pepper extremely finely diced. Be careful with your eyes....(seriously....put on gloves to dice, wear eye protection) cook for 2-3 min. Add 2cans of black eyed peas, 1 bag of chopped up frozen okra. I add some hot italian sausage, a few handfuls of shrimp, sometimes some chopped up pork shoulder along with the Iguana. (suppose you could use some walleyes....but dont over cook, add them at the end) this is only if you don't have iguana. Simmer for 3 hours, stirring often. Make burritos with the mixture along with some rice. Enjoy.
Bigsky
Freddy,
I posted an iguana recipe for you.
BigSky
Per Rush L. these iguanas were introduced to Florida and are native, so they should probaly all be picked up and eaten as suggested above, or turned into pet food.
Think we are dealing with a segment of society that is willing to go down this road of global warming no matter what. What is it going to take for these people? Never underestimate the power of faith ! It's not about global warming it's about a rejection of oil. Oil is a universal evil that must be reversed no matter what. For it is oil that is killing us. All evils originate from oil. If we have enough solar panels we can all drive electric cars. The higher the price of oil the better, for that will force us to use solar power. This is what they believe and their goal is to force this to happen. We have a large segment of uneducated, or I should say, miseducated people. It's an astonishing thing to behold. I feel like I'm living in a time similar to when Galileo was force to admit, under penlty of death, that the earth does not revolve around the sun.
that is NOT an iguana in the picture. that is a knight anole another invasive species here in Fl.
I have been looking for a few of different recipes. If you would be able to recommand another site I would honestly appreciate it. Thanks a lot!