Falling Iguanas And Herding Manatees In Southwest Florida This Weekend
It is going to be cold this weekend in Southwest Florida. Shelters are opening in Naples and Fort Myers for anyone who needs a warm place to stay. Just like humans, some animals are seeking warmth too. Manatees have places like to gather locally and they will be prime viewing spots. We know where they are. If the poor iguanas could gather to stay warm maybe they would not fall out of trees. Beware. It is likely going to happen Sunday. Here is the scoop on both falling iguanas and herding manatees in Southwest Florida this weekend.
It is not legal to touch the manatees if you see them. If they come up to you and nudge you, that is different. Look at that face.
About the Manatees
Despite the size of the giant sea cows, they do not have a lot of blubber to keep them warm. When the water temperatures dip, below 68 they get stressed and could even die. Manatee Park is known for its warmer waters. It is a place where manatees congregate year round and especially when it gets cold like this weekend. Check them out from observation decks. In addition, if you are feeling adventurous you can rent kayaks to get even closer. However, they are classified as a “threatened species” so don’t touch or feed them.
The park is in Fort Myers, on Palm Beach Blvd. east of I-75. It has picnic tables and a cool butterfly garden too. It opens from 8a.m. to sunset. Manatee Park is free. However, parking is not. It costs $2 per hour or $5 for the day. Parking is also limited so carpool if you can.
This guy looks like and cozy up here on this branch. However, if it gets too cold, he or she wont be able to hang on. The reptile will end up on the ground. temporarily paralyzed.
About the iguanas
Like manatees, iguanas are a fascinating part of our local wildlife and they don’t like cold weather. When temperatures drop below 45 degrees, and they are predicted to on Sunday, the prehistoric reptiles’ muscles can get cold-stunned. It’s like a temporary paralysis. If they are hanging out in the trees, it is likely they will fall. It could be raining iguanas. If you come across one that appears to be dead or petrified from the cold leave them alone.
In addition, don’t put them in your car and drive a friend’s home. You DON’T want them to spring back to life while you’re behind the wheel. Wildlife officials say when they warm back up and are in a foreign place they could get scared and even aggressive. No thank you. Take your social media pics and move along.
