Authorities warn about the impact of extreme cold on Florida's iconic animals

In light of the unusual drop in temperatures in the state of Florida, state authorities issued a warning on Sunday about the risks that the cold poses to various wildlife species and shared recommendations to prevent harm or death.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) explained that the current cold snap is impacting iconic animals in the state, including manatees, sea turtles, and iguanas, and urged the public not to interfere with their natural behaviors.

According to the FWC, manatees need to stay in waters with temperatures above 68 °F (20 °C) to survive. When the water cools down, these animals move to springs, discharges from power plants, and other warm water areas.

As it is a protected species, feeding, disturbing, or harassing manatees is illegal, as any disturbance may force them to swim into colder waters, with potentially fatal consequences.

The agency also warned that prolonged exposure to cold can cause a condition known as cold stress in manatees, which can be fatal.

During this season, the protection zones for manatees are also strengthened, requiring boats and jet skis to reduce their speed or avoid certain areas to prevent collisions.

In the case of sea turtles, the FWC noted that, being cold-blooded animals, they can become disoriented when the water temperature drops to around 50 °F (10 °C).

Under these conditions, turtles can float motionless near the shore and appear to be dead, although in many cases they are still alive.

All turtle species in Florida are protected, and the authorities urged reporting any injured or dead specimens.

Iguanas, on the other hand, tend to lose mobility in intense cold and may fall from trees.

The FWC asked the public not to take them home or attempt to warm them up, as they can become aggressive when they regain their temperature.

Although they are an invasive species and their possession is prohibited without permission, the commission issued a temporary executive order allowing the removal of live green iguanas that are stunned by the cold without the need for special authorization.

The south of Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, is facing the lowest temperatures this weekend in over a decade.

According to weather reports, temperatures are expected to reach lows in the mid-30s °F, equivalent to between 0 °C and -1 °C, with wind chill factors that could drop to 20 °F (-6 °C).

The National Weather Service and warned that the cold front could extend into early next week.

Local authorities have also activated shelters for the homeless and issued recommendations to protect vulnerable individuals, pets, plants, and home systems in light of a cold snap that breaks the usual pattern of the so-called "sunny state."