It looks rather apocalyptic in the southern United States.
Iguana are literally falling out of trees in South Florida where its 40F (or 4C) after a weather phenomenon sent snow to the region and prompted a “bomb cyclone” to then push north.
Palm Beach Post columnist Frank Cerabino spotted one such frigid critter in his backyard.
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
CBS 12 News in Miami showed a series of images of stiffened iguanas immobilized from the strange cold snap.
But the advice: Don’t touch them.
PSA: THE IGUANAS FALLING OUT OF THE TREES IN SOUTH FLORIDA ARE NOT DEAD!! I REPEAT…. THEY ARE NOT DEAD. JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE!
— Queen Reality (@queen_reality) January 4, 2018
Meanwhile, sea turtles by the hundreds are washing up on south beaches from Florida to Texas also shocked by the cold.
The #Texas cold snap has left hundreds of sea turtles unable to swim. Our coastal staff is working with partners to rescue the cold-stunned sea turtles, taking them to rehab for recovery and eventual release #WinterStorm pic.twitter.com/YgGGLC9cuf
— TX Parks & Wildlife (@TPWDnews) January 3, 2018
The National Parks Service is explaining why it’s happening:
“A cold stunned sea turtle is one that has become hypothermic due to cold weather. Like all reptiles, sea turtles are ectothermic (cold blooded) and cannot regulate regulate their body temperature. If water temperatures drop below about 50°F (10º C), sea turtles become unable to swim. They float up to the surface, becoming vulnerable to boat strikes. They may wash ashore, becoming stranded. If not rescued quickly, these helpless animals often die of exposure or predation.”
More scenes from the #TexasCoast where @TexasGameWarden and other coastal partners are rescuing cold-stunned sea turtles.
Here’s why https://t.co/N8oLijBArR#txwx pic.twitter.com/To06K88pYl
— TX Parks & Wildlife (@TPWDnews) January 4, 2018
🐢Friendly reminder that bitter cold temperatures don’t just impact us, it impacts animals, too. Once water temperature drops to 50°F, turtles go into a state of inactivity & will surface in the cold water. (🐢 info via @GulfIslandsNPS Facebook page) https://t.co/WCWmLHIf2o
— NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) January 4, 2018
When the bay water in Florida gets too cold sea turtles freeze and float. My grandma and some of her buddies went and rescued some of them. How cute is this pic.twitter.com/7caDP9CH2h
— Kathryn Doss (@katdoss3) January 4, 2018
Still, this job should be left to the experts, like the Texas State Aquarium.
“South Texas’s unusually cold weather resulted in a record 388 sea turtles being taken into our rehab center for cold-stunning!” the facility wrote on Twitter.
South Texas’s unusually cold weather resulted in a record 388 sea turtles being taken into our rehab center for cold-stunning! They’ll recuperate here at our Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Center with the goal of being released back into their natural habitat soon! pic.twitter.com/pwhxUikBAi
— Texas State Aquarium (@TXStateAquarium) January 4, 2018
Hopefully, for everyone, it warms up soon – and that’s it for winter weather.
On the Texas coast, #seaturtles are washing up on the beach due to cold weather. Nearly 1,000 cold stunned sea turtles have been rescued in the past month. Find a stranded sea turtle? Call 1-866-TURTLE-5. https://t.co/RjElsoZmcc pic.twitter.com/xOVS84kxnR
— TIRN (@SeaTurtles_org) January 4, 2018
Cold stunned sea turtle ALERT! Prolonged exposure during times of extreme cold can be fatal to sea turtles. Immediately report any cold stunned turtles that you locate by calling us at 361-949-8173 ext. 226 #NPS #seaturtles pic.twitter.com/0MsTXK3fLu
— Padre Island N.S. (@PadreIslandNPS) January 4, 2018
Main Photo Texas Parks and Wildlife Service/Twitter
