Iguanas don't truly freeze solid like ice but enter a state of torpor or paralysis when temperatures drop into the 30s or 40s Fahrenheit, causing them to stiffen, fall from trees, and appear lifeless.

Torpor Duration

Frozen iguanas typically remain paralyzed for several hours until temperatures rise above 50°F, allowing their cold-blooded bodies to thaw and regain muscle control. Larger males (up to 5 feet long, 17 pounds) endure longer than smaller ones, often recovering fully within 2-8 hours as the sun warms them.

Survival Factors

  • Size matters : Bigger iguanas tolerate cold snaps better, sometimes burrowing for insulation.
  • Time limit : If temps stay below 40°F for over 8 hours, smaller iguanas may die from prolonged exposure.
  • Recent example : In Florida's rare February 2026 freeze, stunned iguanas recovered quickly but posed collection opportunities.

Why It Happens

As ectothermic reptiles, iguanas rely on external heat; below 50°F, their metabolism slows dramatically, mimicking death but fully reversible in mild cases. This "frozen iguana warning" is a quirky Florida tradition during cold fronts.

"When temperatures hit below 50°, iguanas can go into a state of torpor, where they temporarily lose muscle control and appear 'frozen'—sometimes even falling out of trees."

TL;DR : Healthy iguanas stay "frozen" for hours, not days, and most revive once it warms up—leave them be to avoid scratches upon recovery.

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