Green Iguanas - All the information you need to care for your pet
Is your home lacking some color? Has anyone been begging you to get a pet? Well, a unique animal to have as a pet are iguanas. They are a good pet, but not the best for someone who cannot devote a lot of their time to this pet. Iguanas can get very large; they usually range between four and six feet, including the tail. They also live for many years. Half of their size is made up of their tail; their body is only half the length. Iguanas have long tails that are green in color with black stripes. These lizards, like most, come in different shades, ranging from bright green, mostly males, to a dull grayish green. Their skin is rough and a large iguana can have pointy spikes on their backs. In their natural habitat they have long fingers and claws to help them climb, but when in captivity, as a pet, you’re to cut their nails for handling.
Wild Iguanas are found in southern countries like Mexico, Brazil and Paraguay. Iguanas have interesting adaptations that they need for their home. In fact, these animals have one of the best senses of hearing, smell, and vision. Besides their claws, their green tail is very long, and sharp. They snap it in the air as a defense mechanism. Their tail can grow back if it breaks off, without permanent damage. Iguanas’ skin is also water resistant and because it is so tough, it doesn’t get cuts or scratches. Like most lizards, their coloring helps them to blend into their surroundings. Did you know they can fall for almost 50 feet and not get hurt! This makes for a quick escape, if necessary.
If you ever saw an Iguana, you’ve probably noticed the flap of skin that the males have hanging off their chin. This is called the dewlap. Iguanas can raise their dewlap to make them look bigger than they really are. They use this action to either intimidate predators or impress beautiful females. Iguanas have a complex and strange food storage capability; they can keep elements of their diet under their jaws and in their necks for times when food is scarce.
Iguanas live in tropics. An iguana loves to spend most of their time high on top of the rainforest trees. They are diurnal which means that they are awake during the day. Have you ever heard the expression “lounge lizard”? I think this was made because of iguanas because they love to bask in the sun. They are cold blooded, so they do not produce their own body heat.
Having Iguanas as a pet is a tough task. If you are used to taking care of one or more pets a day, then they can be a great addition to your collection. Otherwise, I suggest starting out with another pet, like a puppy or a kitten!