Last updated: 11 january, 2010 - 18:16 GMT
Raining reptiles: Why iguanas are falling from Florida's trees
Notices are now being put out warning people to leave the animals where they find them or to call their local animal service instead
Iguanas in Florida are dropping from trees after becoming comatose due to the state's cold spell.
Temperatures have plummeted to around 0C in the 'sunshine state', far below normal levels.
Cold-blooded iguanas like temperatures of around 35C, so in a climate of around 5C, they go into a deep sleep and become immobile.
As their bodies shut off, they lose their grip on the tree branches and fall to the ground.
Local wildlife expert Mark "Wildman" Burrow told the BBC's World Today programme what was behind the phenomenon:
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First broadcast 11 January 2010
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