Page 82 - Present Day Wildlife_Float

The iguana is a ‘genus’ of herbivorous lizards. The genus: Iguana, contains two true spe-
cies; the Green or Common iguana, found in northern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Is-
lands, and southern Brazil, and the Lesser Antillean iguana; native to the Lesser Antilles. The ge-
nus is a member of the family Iguanidae*,
which contains eight other genera of extant
herbivorous lizards (Iguanas). The largest of
the species is the Green Iguana reaching
around 1.5 to 2.5 metres in length, while the
smallest is the Spiny-tailed iguana around
12.5 to 50cm in length.

*Iguanidae
Genus: Amblyrhynchus
Genus: Brachylophus
Genus: Cachryx
Genus: Conolophus
Genus: Ctenosaura
Genus: Cyclura
Genus: Dipsosaurus
Genus: Sauromalus

Iguanas are colourful lizards native to
tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Carib-
bean. They come in many blends of colours from bright green, grey and
often with traces of orange and yellow. Their colours are often a reflection
of the habitat they reside, making them hard to spot against the natural
background. They have a long but plump scaly body, with a long tapering
tail. A row of elongated scales runs down their back from their head to
their tail. Their head is large with a tall scull and a short blunted snout.
Their wide jaws are lined with small serrated teeth, and they are equipped
with large round eyes that can swivel in all directions. They have four
The powerful Jaws short legs, and their feet have exceptionally long clawed toes.
of the Iguana
Iguanas have little physical defence against predators, such as mam-
mals, snakes, hawks, and raccoons. They do, however, have very powerful jaws lined with sharp
serrated teeth that can inflict serious damage on an attacker. They also have excellent eyesight.
They have eyes with all round vision that can see shapes, shadows, colours, and movement at long
distances keeping them alert to any approaching threat. If surprised, they can shoot off at a tremen-
dously fast speed, and, if they should lose part, or all, of their tail to an attacker, they simply grow
another one. As the larger iguanas mature into adulthood, many predators seem less inclined to at-
tack them - they are just too big - and focus their attention on the smaller and young of the species.

Iguanas are herbivores. They live on all manner of vegetation with their main source of
food being leaves from trees. They are also known to occasionally eat fruit and flowers. However,
adult iguanas every so often will eat insects and birds eggs, and
when they are young are known to eat small birds and mammals.
In the wild, iguanas manage their own diet very successfully.
However, more and more iguanas are being sought after as pets,
removing the animal’s right to choose what it eats. If anyone is
thinking of having an Iguana as a pet they should first find out,
the conditions and environment needed to house the Iguana and
what is the best and recommended food. Also keep in mind this is
not a short term commitment. A pet iguana will usually live be-
tween 15 to 20 years.