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IguanasIguanas are found in many different habitats in North and South America, including rainforests (like the Green Iguana), deserts (like the Desert Iguana), and the sea (like the Marine Iguana). The iguana is spread over a large geographic area, from Mexico to southern Brazil and Paraguay, as well as on the Caribbean Islands. Like other reptiles, iguanas are cold-blooded, egg-laying animals with an excellent ability to adapt to their environment. Iguanas seem to prefer rocky shore but may also be found in mangrove swamps and beaches. Different species of iguanas look and act so differently, you might not recognize them as members of the same family. The Desert Iguana is a wary, diurnal lizard that will climb into bushes seeking cooler areas in extreme heat, but it will remain active when temperatures are as high as 115 degrees F. In contrast, the green iguana is at home high in the trees of the tropical rain forest Green iguanas, not surprisingly, are green in color, but can be found in many different shades ranging from bright green, to a dull, grayish-green. The coloring of the skin helps camouflage the green iguana, which means that they blend in easily to their surroundings to remain undetected by predators. Both male and female green iguanas can store fat under their jaws and in their necks for times when there is not much food available. Male iguanas can raise their dewlap to appear bigger than they really are, either to intimidate predators, or to impressive females. The males, which are larger than the females, may grow to a length of 4 feet or more (almost half of which is tail). Green iguana skin is very water resistant, and tough to avoid cuts and scratches. It takes green iguana eggs about 8-10 weeks to hatch, then takes baby iguanas about 2 years to become mature adults. When iguana babies hatch, they grow up without care from their parents. Marine Iguanas are certainly among the most unusual creatures in the Galapagos. The marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus cristatus of the Galapagos Islands, is a skillful swimmer, and the Iguanas black coloration helps it to warm its body after swimming in the cold ocean. The water in the Galapagos is often quite cold and being cold-blooded, iguanas spend much of their time restoring body heat by sunning themselves on the rocks adjacent the shore. Iguanas, like the other species unique to the Galapagos, have evolved in an environment in which there are few natural predators. Like many of the Galapagos animals, Iguanas are usually unperturbed by the presence of humans and may be approached quite closely. Iguanas as a whole are regarded as omnivores, but usually tend to consume plants, mainly leaves and fruits. Sometimes iguanas (especially younger ones) will eat eggs, insects and other smaller vertebrates. Care should be taken in feeding an iguana, as if an Iguana relies on you for food, and it is not tame enough, they can sever 2 or 3 fingers with a single bite. Like many tropical species, the green iguana is also threatened by habitat destruction. There are several measures that can help iguanas survive, such as captive propagation in zoos, hunting and collecting restrictions, and education programs for people living in or near iguana habitats. Habitat loss, the introduction of exotic animals that prey on iguanas, capture for the pet trade, and poaching are some of the many threats to wild iguana populations. Iguanas are one of the more recent fad pets, becoming readily available in many pet stores, often at very low prices. There are a multitude of online resources available to iguana owners or potential owners. So if you are thinking about getting an iguana as a pet, please start by being informed. Following common sense hygiene practices when handling iguanas should prevent problems, but if there are young children, pregnant women, immuno-compromised people or elderly persons in contact with the iguana, extra care will have to be taken to prevent Salmonella infections, or perhaps a reptile isn't the right pet for your household. Stumble It! • Submit To Netscape • del.icio.us • Y! MyWeb |
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