Iguanas falling from trees: What to do and what to avoid

Joanie Asselin, biologist and President of Éducazoo, was a guest on LCN 14h, hosted by Hadi Hassan, to explain a phenomenon that is currently puzzling and worrying the public in Florida: iguanas falling from trees.

Joanie explains that iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles. Their body temperature depends entirely on their environment. When a sudden drop in temperature occurs, their metabolism slows down significantly and they can enter a state of lethargy. In this condition, iguanas may become immobile and fall from trees. Contrary to popular belief, an iguana found on the ground during cold weather is usually not dead—it will wake up once temperatures rise.

She also points out that iguanas are generally calm, non-aggressive animals that do not seek confrontation with humans. However, bringing an iguana indoors is a common mistake. Waking up in an unfamiliar environment can cause significant stress, leading the animal to react defensively out of fear.

Joanie reminds the public of the proper actions to take if you find an iguana on the ground: leave it outdoors, place it in a safe and sunny location, and wear gloves when moving it to ensure the safety of both people and the animal. On the other hand, you should avoid handling it with bare hands, disturbing it unnecessarily, or bringing it inside a home.

This media appearance aligns with Éducazoo’s mission: to educate the public, demystify exotic animal behavior, and promote responsible actions that support animal welfare and safe, respectful coexistence with wildlife.