If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a Florida cold snap meets a committed wiener dog, Wilson has your answer.

In the video, the triathlete behind the camera is out for a run when his Dachshund, Wilson, suddenly veers off course toward something lying in the grass. At first, it looks like a stick or maybe a toy. Then the camera zooms in, and you realize what’s really going on: Wilson has found a “cold-stunned” iguana, one of the many reptiles literally dropping out of trees during Florida’s historic temperature plunge.

Because iguanas are cold-blooded, when temps dip into the 40s and below, their bodies can slow down so much that they lose muscle control and appear frozen or even dead. In reality, many of them are still alive, just temporarily immobilized until things warm back up.

Wilson, of course, has no idea he’s stumbled into a biology lesson. He does what any self-respecting Dachshund with a strong fetch drive would do: gently grabs the iguana and trots back like he’s just found the world’s weirdest tennis ball. His human is half laughing, half horrified, narrating that iguanas are literally falling from trees right now, and Wilson has “fetched himself one” that he is very quickly told to drop.

It’s funny and chaotic in that uniquely Florida way, but it also lands in the middle of a situation. Green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida, and during rare cold snaps like this, officials issue guidance and even temporary executive orders about what people can safely and legally do with cold-stunned lizards. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) warns that, even when stunned, iguanas can still scratch, bite, and carry salmonella, and recommends that untrained members of the public avoid handling them directly.

So while Wilson’s “help” is unintentionally on brand for a hunting breed, the real takeaway is that curious dogs and falling iguanas are not a great combo.

What to Do When Your Dog Meets a Cold-Stunned Iguana

If you and your dog run into a stunned iguana during a Florida cold snap, the safest move is to leash your pup away and keep your distance. FWC notes that green iguanas are a prohibited invasive species and should not be relocated or released elsewhere; instead, property owners who want them removed can contact licensed wildlife control operators or use official drop-off options during special cold-stun events.

Their nonnative species page explains why these lizards are a problem and outlines humane, legal options for dealing with them: Florida Fish and Wildlife – Green Iguanas.

Let Wilson fetch sticks and toys, and leave the prehistoric popsicles to the pros.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.