Why is it raining from iguanas in Florida?

It’s raining men, hallelujah, it’s raining men. Who never imagined what would happen if this Weather Girls anthem became a reality? But he has to spoil a lot changing of the climate so it’s raining men. What they have already begun to experience in Florida This rain of iguanas

In recent years, with the arrival of autumn, frozen iguanas begin to fall from the sky, scaring passers-by more than once. cities like Miami. Neighbors already know the phenomenon of iguana rain and even use it to predict the weather, but the truth is that it is not rain as such.

Reptiles do not come from the sky and have nothing to do with the clouds. In fact, fall straight from the trees, where they remained calm all summer until the temperature became too cold for their body, unable to regulate the heat. We must not forget that Florida iguanas are an invasive species, so despite their ability to reproduce quickly in this environment, they are not adapted to the sudden temperature changes that occur with the arrival of autumn. This is what causes iguana rain, but what else should we know about it?

Invasive Reptiles of Florida

The species is considered invasive when it arrives intentional or unintentional still a habitat that is not yours and reproduces successfully, displacing native species. This movement can occur for many reasons, from competition for resources to the spread of disease or predation.

In the case of Florida, it is a haven for invasive reptiles for many reasons. Let’s start with the fact that for our temperate and humid climate. But also due to its location, with numerous international portsand for the wider exotic species market what’s at home

The first invasive reptiles to arrive in Florida didn’t do so intentionally. For example, it is believed that the first was a small lizard called Chinojowho traveled as a stowaway on cargo ships from Cuba in the 19th century.

When green iguana, much more often it ends up in Florida on the exotic species market; but after buyers acquire them as pets, they end up letting them go. Therefore, in this case we are talking about intentional human intrusion.

Typically, invasive species adapt very well to new habitats. However, they can only do this for part of the year. This is what causes the increasingly famous rain of iguanas.

What causes iguana rain?

Iguanas ectothermic animalsor cold-blooded, as they are colloquially called. This means that, unlike other animals, such as humans themselves, they do not have the ability to regulate their temperature to constant values. Humans, for example, remain at around 36.5°C regardless of whether the ambient temperature is 42°C or the mercury drops below 0. This is because we have mechanisms that help us cool down or warm up. for example, contraction or dilation of blood vessels.

On the other hand, the body of iguanas acquires ambient temperature. Ideally, they should live in an environment with a more or less constant temperature, but in Florida there is a problem. In summer they have that temperate and humid climate that they so need. but in autumn the temperature drops. They are not very cold, but they are enough for iguanas. they freeze. Literally.

When this happens, they can no longer hold on to the branches of the trees they live on and fallcausing the famous rain of iguanas.

They’re not dead

Typically, frozen iguanas that fall from trees in Florida are not dead. As soon as they are warming up Some of them come back to life, so citizens are constantly warned that if they encounter them, they should handle them with care. When he warms up, he can give a change with his claws.

They can even cause accidents, as happened to a Miami man who filled his car with frozen iguanas for a barbecue. I didn’t expect the heat of the car to make them come out of your lethargy and when everyone started moving uncontrollably inside the car, the driver panicked and crashed.

We already know that they need to be handled with care. And if possible one at a time. But what should we do with them?

Because they invasive speciess, the authorities give permission to whoever finds them, kill them. It’s painful, but it’s the only way to prevent native species from being wiped out. However, there may be those who find them but do not have the opportunity to do so. Therefore there are two options. Let nature take its course and leave it alone, or carefully pick it up and take it to wild animal rescue center. There they will know what to do. Returning it to nature is an option since Florida’s natural environment is not its habitat. It’s a shame, because it’s not their fault that they ended up there.

Due to the evil minds of those who decide to buy wild animals as pets and then abandon them, these animals end up receiving a death sentence that would not have been necessary if they had been left in their own habitat. Rain from iguanas is not something they will have to suffer for.