Among the representatives of the reptilian world is the green iguana (Iguana iguana) occupies a special place. This is one of the largest lizards, which impresses not only with its size, but also with its exotic appearance. Its elongated body, spikes on its back, powerful legs and long tail make it look like a real prehistoric dragon.
Green iguanas are widely distributed in Central and South America, live in tropical forests, and are often found in captivity as exotic pets. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all aspects of the life of these amazing reptiles.
1. scientific classification and related species
🔹 Scientific classification:
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Chordal (Chordata)
✔ Class: Reptiles (Reptilia)
✔ Row: Scaly (Squamata)
✔ Family: Iguanas (Iguanidae)
✔ Gender: Iguanas (Iguana)
✔ View: Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
🔹 Related views:
✔ Low-noise iguana (Iguana delicatissima)
✔ Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
✔ Montenegrin iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata)
2. Description and physical characteristics
✔ Body lengthLength: 1.2-2 m (including tail)
✔ WeightWeight: 4-8 kg
✔ Life span: up to 20 years in captivity
🔹 Main features of appearance:
✔ Green or olive-brown coloration that changes with age.
✔ Long, flexible tail, making up to 2/3 body length.
✔ Spikes along the spine, giving it an intimidating look.
✔ Large paws with sharp claws-perfect for climbing trees.
✔ Well-developed throat sac (gyulap), which helps in thermoregulation and communication with other iguanas.
🔹 Interesting features:
✔ Young individuals are bright green, but with age they can acquire brown, gray, or even bluish coloring.
In males, during the mating season, the color becomes more saturated, and the gyulap expands.
✔ Their tail is powerful weapons: the iguana can hit them hard when defending itself from predators.
3. Habitat and habitat
🌍 Where do green iguanas live?
✔ Central America-Mexico, Guatemala, Belize.
✔ South America – Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru.
✔ Caribbean Islands-Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago.
✔ Florida - as an invasive species.
🔹 Typical habitats:
✔ Tropical and subtropical forests.
✔ Mangrove swamps.
✔ River coasts, as they swim beautifully.
Iguanas mostly arboreal animalsliving at a height of up to 15 meters above ground, but often descend in search of food or water.
4. Nutrition and digestive features
🥗 What do green iguanas eat?
✔ Leaves of trees and shrubs (mango, guava, Acacia).
✔ Fruits (bananas, papaya, melon).
✔ Flowers (hibiscus, honeysuckle).
🔹 Features of digestion:
✔ There are exclusively herbivorousunlike many other lizards.
✔ In their intestines live symbiotic bacteriawhich help digest fiber.
✔ Need of calcium for bone strength, so they can chew chalk or shells.
🚨 Prohibited foods in captivity:
Citrus fruits (cause indigestion).
Avocado Avocado (toxic).
M'aso meat and dairy products (poorly digested).
5. lifestyle and behavior
🔹 Basic behavioral traits:
✔ Lead daily report lifestyle.
✔ Mostly singles, except for the breeding season.
✔ Easily climb trees and rocks.
✔ Jump into the water and go with the flow in case of danger.
🔹 How do they communicate?
✔ Nod your head-a signal of dominance.
✔ Expand gyulap-a way to intimidate.
✔ Use smell tags to mark the territory.
6. reproduction and development
💞 Mating season: from the beginning of autumn to the end of winter.
✔ Males fight for females and defend territory.
✔ After mating, the female lays 20-70 eggs into the sand pits.
✔ Incubation continues from 65 to 90 days.
🔹 Interesting facts:
✔ Newborn iguanas are independent from the moment they hatch.
✔ Young animals come together in groups for better survival.
7. keeping the green iguana in captivity
🏠 What conditions do iguanas need?
✔ Terrarium: minimum 150×80×180 cm for an adult.
✔ Temperature: 28-32°C during the day, 22-26°C at night.
✔ Humidity: 70-80% (daily water sprays).
✔ Light: UV lamp for vitamin D3 synthesis.
✔ Food: fresh vegetables, herbs, special additives.
🚨 Common Care Mistakes:
Insufficient moisture-leads to problems with molting.
Vidsutnist lack of a UV lamp-causes rickets.
Small terrarium-negatively affects development.
8. Interesting facts about green iguanas
✔ They can drop the tailif they are captured by a predator.
✔ Breathe with your skin under water, holding your breath until 30 minutes.
✔ Are natural vegans among lizards.
✔ Are able to recognize the owner and even get used to hands.
Conclusion
The green iguana is a unique lizard that combines exotic beauty and amazing adaptations to survival. It is an excellent pet for experienced terrariumists, and in nature it remains an important part of rainforest ecosystems. 🌿🦎
