Iguanas start getting sluggish when temperatures drop into the low 50s °F (around 10–12 °C), but they typically fall out of trees when it gets colder, roughly in the mid‑40s °F and below (about 4–7 °C).

Quick Scoop

When the air temperature drops to around 45 °F (about 7 °C) and colder, green iguanas in places like Florida can become “cold‑stunned.” Their muscles stiffen, they lose their grip on branches, and many end up dropping from trees. They often look frozen or dead on the ground but are usually still alive and may recover once it warms back above about 50 °F (10 °C).

What’s Actually Happening?

  • Iguanas are cold‑blooded reptiles, so they depend on external warmth (sun, warm air) to keep their muscles working.
  • In the 50s °F , they slow down and move clumsily.
  • Once temps dip into the 40s °F , especially the low 40s, many can’t grip branches and start falling from trees.
  • If temperatures stay in the 30s–40s °F for many hours, some iguanas may die instead of recovering.

A common real‑world example is South Florida “falling iguana alerts,” when cold snaps push temperatures into the 40s °F and local news reports show iguanas scattered on sidewalks and under trees.

Mini FAQ

Do they die when they fall?
Often no. They are usually cold‑stunned and can wake up and climb away once the day warms up.

Is there an exact temperature?
There isn’t a single universal number, but many reports point to around 45 °F (about 7 °C) and lower as the range where falling becomes common.

Is this a meme or real?
It’s very real: Floridians regularly share photos, videos, and forum posts talking about iguanas dropping from trees during winter cold snaps in the 40s °F.

TL;DR: Iguanas can start to fall from trees when the temperature drops to roughly the mid‑40s °F (around 7 °C) or colder, as their muscles freeze up and they lose their grip.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.