Residents across the Sunshine State are keeping one eye on the sky this week as a historic freeze has triggered a bizarre and dangerous phenomenon: falling iguanas. The Florida cold snap 2026 has brought temperatures plummeting into the 30s, sending the invasive reptile population into a state of shock and causing them to lose their grip on tree branches. In response to the reptile rain, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued an unprecedented 'collection' alert, urging locals to gather the stunned creatures before they thaw out.
The Great Iguana Drop of 2026
As the mercury dipped to near-freezing levels earlier this week, social media feeds were flooded with videos of frozen lizards news crews are calling 'Iguana-geddon.' Green iguanas, which are cold-blooded and native to Central and South America, enter a state of torpor when temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. While this coma-like state saves their energy, it also paralyzes their muscles, leading to the surreal sight of large, green lizards plummeting from palm trees onto sidewalks, cars, and unsuspecting passersby.
"They look dead, but they are very much alive," warned FWC Executive Director Roger Young in a press statement. "They are just hitting the snooze button until the sun comes out." This distinction is crucial, as many well-meaning Floridians have learned the hard way that a "frozen" iguana can defrost rapidly and become defensive, lashing out with sharp claws and whip-like tails.
Operation Iguana: FWC Issues 'Collection' Executive Order
In a move that highlights the severity of this year's weird Florida weather, the FWC implemented Executive Order 26-03. This directive authorized a temporary amnesty period for the public to capture and transport stunned reptiles Florida officials say are wreaking havoc on the ecosystem. For 48 hours, residents were allowed to collect the immobilized lizards without a permit and deliver them to designated drop-off sites in locations like Sunrise, Tequesta, and Fort Myers.
The response was overwhelming. According to official reports, over 2,000 iguanas were turned in at collection stations. "It was like a biological Easter egg hunt," said local trapper Ryan Izquierdo, who personally collected nearly 70 iguanas in a single afternoon. The state's goal is to humanely manage the invasive population, which causes millions of dollars in damage to seawalls and landscaping annually.
'Don't Warm Them Up': The Dangers of Thawing
Authorities have stressed a critical safety warning: do not bring the iguana rain victims inside your home or car to warm them up. Reports have surfaced of Good Samaritans placing frozen iguanas in their vehicles, only to have the reptiles thaw out mid-drive and cause chaos inside the moving car.
"We had one report of a gentleman who loaded his truck bed with what he thought were carcasses," an FWC spokesperson noted. "By the time he got to the disposal site, he had a dozen angry, three-foot lizards running laps around his truck." The FWC advises handling the creatures with heavy gloves and keeping them in sealed, breathable containers if transporting them.
Only in Florida: Iguana Pizza Goes Viral
Of course, no funny local news story in Florida would be complete without a culinary twist. As the cold snap turns invasive pests into easy pickings, some enterprising locals are turning lemons into lemonade—or rather, lizards into lunch. Pictures of "Florida Man Pizza," topped with locally sourced iguana meat, have gone viral on social media platforms.
Ryan Izquierdo, the trapper who helped lead the collection efforts, teamed up with a North Palm Beach pizzeria to create the controversial pie. While health officials urge caution regarding salmonella (common in reptiles), the stunt has perfectly encapsulated the resilient and slightly eccentric spirit of Floridians facing down the Florida cold snap 2026. As temperatures begin to climb back to normal this Thursday, the rain of reptiles may be ending, but the stories from this week will likely last all summer.
