I know you like lizards and that's the reason you are here...
So. it's time to talk about the Green Iguana facts, I'm sure you will like this information.
The green iguana is commonly known as the American Iguana.
There are different species and the green iguanas are the most popular since they make a great pet. They are arboreal which means they like to climb and a tree and jump from one branch to another and because of their strong body, even if they fall from a high tree they wouldn't feel anything.
They are a large and very active type of lizards that stay awake during the day and sleep at night. The green iguanas originated in America and in the Caribbean, you can also find some in Brazil and in Mexico. They have strong tails that grow back when they are dropped.
In some areas, they are called the invasive type of lizards because they are herbivores, and can easily adapt to their surroundings which makes them a great pet.
Other facts about the Green Iguanas
Another name for green iguana: simply iguanas, gallina de pallo, and Iguana iguana
Sizes: the green iguana can grow up to 5 feet in length including its head and tail and some can even grow more than 6 feet. It really depends on their species.
Weight: if well fed and taken care of, the green iguana's normal body weight can reach up to 20 pounds.
Lifespan: the green iguanas can live up to 20 years
How to Take Care of Green Iguanas
The green iguanas are cold-blooded lizards that like warm temperatures and during a cold day, they like to stay in the ground to keep themselves warm since there are no other available ways to warm up their bodies on their own.
Green Iguanas usually came from tropical forest and love to stay near the water since they are excellent swimmers and can even hold their breath up to 20 minutes.
If ever you plan on having iguanas as a pet you need a very large tank since they can grow up to 5 feet in length where they can moist themselves, eat, and drink clean water.
Here are some tips for a green iguana tank:
- If you want to keep them indoors as a pet you can prepare a 20-gallon tank but the bigger the better since they can grow up to 6 feet. So a 12 feet area would be recommended. You can even have a custom cage depending on how big your green iguana is.
- Green iguanas love a humid environment you can use substrates like coconut shreds to keep it moist you can even spray water using a bottle of water in their glass or leaves wherein they can drink and at the same time keep the surroundings moist.
- They need logs, branches wherein they can hide, rest, and climb it needs to be strong and can hold their weight.
- Use UV for lighting to keep your iguanas healthy and it is recommended to be on 12 hours a day.
What is the behavior of a green iguana?
If ever you plan on having iguanas as a pet you need a very large tank since they can grow up to 5 feet in length where they can moist themselves, eat, and drink clean water.
The green iguanas can really be aggressive if they are frightened or stressed. They give a strong hiss whenever they see you as a threat and you can see their head bob and the extended dewlap.
Their tail can be dropped off to get away when there are some threat or danger. They can also bite to help them get away from the threat.
What do the green iguanas eat?
The green iguanas are herbivores which mean you need to feed them with vegetables, plants or even fruits. They also need protein which means you can add a little insect or animals such as snails, and grasshoppers on their diets.
Their tanks should also have some vitamins and minerals.
Here are some things green iguanas like to eat:
- Turnip greens
- Mustard
- Dandelion
- Flowers
- Wild plum
- Mango
- Lettuce
- Squash
What do the green iguanas look like?
The green iguanas are the largest lizards in America. They have large head and crest comb-like spines from head to tail. Their dewlap is under their necks and they usually expand it when they feel threatened.
There are a lot of iguana species and the green iguanas are the green ones that can change their color when there are temperature or climate changes and for camouflage when they feel threatened.
Their color is in the contrast of light green, dark, green to turquoise with some black patterns or stripes in their bodies.
Green iguanas scales are large and you can see them mostly in their jaws.
Young iguanas can be determined by their bright colors and male because they have larger spikes compared to the female green iguanas.
How do green iguanas reproduce?
Like other lizards, iguanas also lay eggs. A female green iguana can lay up to 20 eggs which they cover up to keep them warm until they hatch.
They need a place wherein they can dig or burrow since that is where they lay their eggs.
To keep them warm the female green iguanas can even share their nest with other female iguanas.
Green iguanas start reproducing when they are at least 4 years old and unlike other lizards, the green iguanas can have multiple mates.
Is a green iguana good as a pet?
The green iguanas can be aggressive when threatened. They have sharp teeth and claws that can shred your skin.
They can be a pet, but proper care and measures should be taken into consideration.
As green iguanas are large, they need a big tank or a big space for them to grow since they can reach up to 6 feet in length.
It is important to use a leash when you keep them outdoors, or they should be in larger tanks since they are territorial types of lizards and if threatened they will, of course, protect themselves.
You should feed them according to their diet and they also need great care and attention, otherwise, they might die in a year.
What are the threats for green iguanas
In the earlier times, hunters in the forest used to hunt iguanas, but nowadays this is not common anymore.
In the wild, the green iguanas can be prey for larger birds such as hawks, and eagles or even for big carnivore animals.
Cutting off trees and destroying forest is also a threat for a lot of wild species including the green iguanas since that is also considered as a loss in their habitat.
How to choose a green iguana as a pet
Is safer to buy a green iguana from a certified online store or a pet store. Just avoid getting them from the wild since iguanas are very territorial and aggressive, especially if they feel like threatened.
These animals can even bring a disease from the wild, so it is better to get a young one from stores.
The good thing about going and checking in stores is that you get to see what you are getting. You would know if it is a healthy green iguana if ever you see clear and bright eyes without any particles or unusually colors like cloudy or foggy eyes.
Their scales should also not shed that easily because missing scales or skin means there is a sign of bone deficiency or injury. It should be healthy and not too dark since green iguanas should have a bright color.
The legs and the jaws should be straight and look normal without any deformities and their nails should also be clean and healthy.
And that's all.
I hope you enjoyed this article about the green iguana facts.
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