The National Weather Service warned Florida residents to be alert for falling iguanas as temperatures plunge in the South.

“This isn't something we usually forecast, but don't be surprised if you see Iguanas falling from the trees tonight as lows drop into the 30s and 40s. Brrrr!” the National Weather Service in Miami said Tuesday.



Jan 21 - This isn't something we usually forecast, but don't be surprised if you see Iguanas falling from the trees tonight as lows drop into the 30s and 40s. Brrrr! #flwx #miami pic.twitter.com/rsbzNMgO01 — NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) January 21, 2020



Iguanas, which are an invasive species in South Florida, sometimes sleep in trees, and when temperatures drop into the 40s, their bodies go dormant, which can result in the falling reptiles. The iguanas can grow up to five feet in length and pose a hazard to those walking under trees in the cool weather.

The weather doesn’t immediately kill the iguanas, but if the temperature stays in the 40s for more than eight hours, they will start to die. Ron Magill with Zoo Miami told CNN that the size of iguanas is a factor if it begins to get too cold.

"The temperature threshold for when iguanas begin to go into a dormant state depends greatly on the size of the iguana," Magill said. "Generally speaking, the larger the iguana, the more cold it can tolerate for longer periods."

Magill said that some iguanas in Florida have adapted to the cold by going into deep burrows to stay warm. For some residents, the iguana slowdown is a welcome opportunity to purge their yards of the growing population of reptiles.

"I do know that there are several iguana hunters that are looking forward to this upcoming cold front as it will certainly facilitate them removing these invasive reptiles from the South Florida environment, as they will not be able to run away," Magill said.

The current forecast for Miami has temperatures dropping to a low of 43 degrees. A windchill advisory was issued for the area until 9 a.m. on Wednesday.