Iguana
by Alex
What Am I?
Do you know what is green and slow? If you’re thinking sloth you are...wrong! It’s the iguana!!!
Iguanas are a type of lizard. There are a lot of different species (type of animal) of lizards. To be exact there are…around 3,700 species of lizards. Did you know that iguanas can get as big as 6.6ft (2m)? (Well, that’s the biggest one I’ve seen). Iguanas can also weigh 11 pounds (5kg).
When a male iguana spreads its dewlap or the flappy thing under its neck it looks like a frilly umbrella. The rest of the time the dewlap hangs loosely from the iguana’s neck.
Now you know it’s not a sloth.
The Untamed
You know what bobs its head? You might be thinking a DJ, wr’wr’wrong! It’s an iguana. Iguanas bob their heads when they think you’re taking their territory. Green iguanas can have 80-120 teeth and when they fall out even if they’re adults, the teeth will grow back.
Green iguanas are usually herbivores (eat fruit and vegetables). Iguanas also like to eat fresh and “young” leaves rather than “old” and rough leaves. Fun Fact! Young iguanas sometimes eat insects. Iguanas are diurnal (hunt in morning sleep at night).
Iguanas can be very aggressive. A full grown iguana can be very lazy but when it attacks, don't get in its way. Iguanas don’t like to share space with other animals, not even other iguanas. Iguanas mark the places where they live with their scent with urine and feces (poop) to make sure no other iguanas come in to their territory (where they live). Wherever they walk, iguanas leave behind trails of their scent. If two males either smell or see each other, each will try to scare the other one away. The male iguanas stick out their dewlaps, stand sideways and bob heads up and down. If neither one backs down, they may fight. Usually neither one gets hurt. The fight is like a wrestling match to see who is the strongest. The weak iguana gives up and goes away. Green iguanas leave the scent on leaves because the smell tells the iguana that it is home to another iguana.
My Days As an Iguana
An iguana can live up to 20 years in the wild. Iguanas bury their eggs and when the eggs hatch the babies dig their way up to the surface. Iguanas also can have up to 35-45 babies at a time. But only 10% of those babies live. Some babies eat bugs until they grow up. Did you know the mom secures the baby until it is a grown up from predators (like ocelots) in the ecosystem (where they live). The iguana is one of the only cold blooded animals that take care of their young. The iguanas are able to mate when they are two years old.
Home Sweet Home
Have you ever wondered where iguanas live? Iguanas live on land and trees.
The iguana is cold blooded and likes where it is hot. Iguanas like the temperature around 95ºF and 98ºF. They sit in the sun until their body temperature is between 80ºF and 90º F. If it gets too hot where they are sitting, iguanas move to a cooler place.
Iguanas can live in North America, Central America and South America. They are native (main home) to Central America and South American including such countries as Mexico, Brazil, and Paraguay. Some iguanas are native to the Caribbean Sea. Wild iguanas also now live in some parts of Florida and Texas in the United States. These American iguanas used to be pets.
The iguanas either escape or were let go by their owners who couldn’t take care of them when they get too big. Iguanas’ favorite places to live are in forests that grow around rivers, because they like to swim and climb.
Iguanas have green skin which helps to blend in with their background. Also iguanas are very tough. They can fall from 40 to 50 feet high to the ground without getting hurt!
Other Facts
Did you know in Central America, where iguana’s meat is frequently consumed (eaten) iguanas are referred to as the….chicken of the trees! That’s funny!
Did you also know the iguana is the most popular reptile pet in the United States, despite being quite difficult to care for properly. In fact, most captive iguanas die within the first year, and many are either turned loose by their owners or given to reptile rescue groups (RRG).
Iguanas can have strong jaws with razor sharp teeth. But iguanas don’t chew their food, instead they swallow things such as a crickets.
Those facts that might gross you out (or entertain you)!
by Alex
What Am I?
Do you know what is green and slow? If you’re thinking sloth you are...wrong! It’s the iguana!!!
Iguanas are a type of lizard. There are a lot of different species (type of animal) of lizards. To be exact there are…around 3,700 species of lizards. Did you know that iguanas can get as big as 6.6ft (2m)? (Well, that’s the biggest one I’ve seen). Iguanas can also weigh 11 pounds (5kg).
When a male iguana spreads its dewlap or the flappy thing under its neck it looks like a frilly umbrella. The rest of the time the dewlap hangs loosely from the iguana’s neck.
Now you know it’s not a sloth.
The Untamed
You know what bobs its head? You might be thinking a DJ, wr’wr’wrong! It’s an iguana. Iguanas bob their heads when they think you’re taking their territory. Green iguanas can have 80-120 teeth and when they fall out even if they’re adults, the teeth will grow back.
Green iguanas are usually herbivores (eat fruit and vegetables). Iguanas also like to eat fresh and “young” leaves rather than “old” and rough leaves. Fun Fact! Young iguanas sometimes eat insects. Iguanas are diurnal (hunt in morning sleep at night).
Iguanas can be very aggressive. A full grown iguana can be very lazy but when it attacks, don't get in its way. Iguanas don’t like to share space with other animals, not even other iguanas. Iguanas mark the places where they live with their scent with urine and feces (poop) to make sure no other iguanas come in to their territory (where they live). Wherever they walk, iguanas leave behind trails of their scent. If two males either smell or see each other, each will try to scare the other one away. The male iguanas stick out their dewlaps, stand sideways and bob heads up and down. If neither one backs down, they may fight. Usually neither one gets hurt. The fight is like a wrestling match to see who is the strongest. The weak iguana gives up and goes away. Green iguanas leave the scent on leaves because the smell tells the iguana that it is home to another iguana.
My Days As an Iguana
An iguana can live up to 20 years in the wild. Iguanas bury their eggs and when the eggs hatch the babies dig their way up to the surface. Iguanas also can have up to 35-45 babies at a time. But only 10% of those babies live. Some babies eat bugs until they grow up. Did you know the mom secures the baby until it is a grown up from predators (like ocelots) in the ecosystem (where they live). The iguana is one of the only cold blooded animals that take care of their young. The iguanas are able to mate when they are two years old.
Home Sweet Home
Have you ever wondered where iguanas live? Iguanas live on land and trees.
The iguana is cold blooded and likes where it is hot. Iguanas like the temperature around 95ºF and 98ºF. They sit in the sun until their body temperature is between 80ºF and 90º F. If it gets too hot where they are sitting, iguanas move to a cooler place.
Iguanas can live in North America, Central America and South America. They are native (main home) to Central America and South American including such countries as Mexico, Brazil, and Paraguay. Some iguanas are native to the Caribbean Sea. Wild iguanas also now live in some parts of Florida and Texas in the United States. These American iguanas used to be pets.
The iguanas either escape or were let go by their owners who couldn’t take care of them when they get too big. Iguanas’ favorite places to live are in forests that grow around rivers, because they like to swim and climb.
Iguanas have green skin which helps to blend in with their background. Also iguanas are very tough. They can fall from 40 to 50 feet high to the ground without getting hurt!
Other Facts
Did you know in Central America, where iguana’s meat is frequently consumed (eaten) iguanas are referred to as the….chicken of the trees! That’s funny!
Did you also know the iguana is the most popular reptile pet in the United States, despite being quite difficult to care for properly. In fact, most captive iguanas die within the first year, and many are either turned loose by their owners or given to reptile rescue groups (RRG).
Iguanas can have strong jaws with razor sharp teeth. But iguanas don’t chew their food, instead they swallow things such as a crickets.
Those facts that might gross you out (or entertain you)!