Pets are different: some people love affectionate and graceful cats, others like the devotion and loyalty of dogs. Many people like to spend hours watching underwater inhabitants or listening to the clear voices of birds. And exotic lovers prefer the company of reptiles, one of which is our today’s heroine - the common green iguana.

Habitat

The species Iguana-iguana belongs to the genus True iguanas of the Iguana family. This species is native to Mexico, from where the species spread and is today widely represented in South and Central America; it was also brought to Florida.

The common iguana prefers to live in tropical rainforests and dense thickets on river banks. This is an arboreal species of reptile, and therefore they spend most of their life in trees.

Common iguana: description

Today, this lizard can increasingly be seen in home terrariums. The common iguana (you can see the photo in the article) is a large animal. An adult reaches a length of 1.5 meters (including tail), although true giants are often found - up to two meters or more. The size of the lizard depends on age and sex: males are much larger than females. What does the common green iguana look like? Photos published in various publications for naturalists demonstrate how diverse the representatives of this species are.

Some individuals have thickened skin projections located on the upper part of the nose. They can be small, barely noticeable, or can reach enormous sizes. Some lizards may have several such “horns”. The diversity of the species is also manifested in the color of these lizards. Although they are called green, they are not always green. The common iguana can be colored in a wide variety of shades of green: from rich to very light. Interspersed with various shades of blue are allowed.

In nature, there are also rare representatives of the species, with a color that differs from most animals of this species.

Brown iguanas

This is a common iguana, the description of which in reference books confirms that this lizard can be tan, brown or cream in color. Sometimes this shade may be unnatural, but caused by stress or illness of the animal.

Blue lizards

This common iguana comes from Peru. The rich turquoise color of the skin distinguishes these lizards. The irises of such individuals are usually reddish-brown. Thin black stripes run throughout the body, tail, and in the folds of the skin.

Even very young ordinary animals can have a blue color, but with age it changes to green.

Red morph

This color does not exist in nature: it is obtained artificially. The common red morph iguana acquires this skin color due to its feeding habits. Animals are fed with pigmented natural fruits and vegetables - red bell pepper, for example, or pigmented artificial fish food (for parrot fish). Naturally, these products do not replace the main diet, but are only additives.

Don't be alarmed if your common iguana changes color at home. These lizards change it throughout their lives, and this depends on their condition and conditions of detention. Young animals change color during molting; adults can change color under the influence of temperatures: if the animal is cold, its color darkens, and in the heat it turns pale. Most males change their color several months before mating season. Wave-like bright stripes appear on their body orange color at the chin, on the body and paws, on the spines.

But if your pet's color turns dark grey, dark brown, yellow or black, you need to contact a specialist to identify the reasons for this change, since in most cases this may be a sign of illness in the animal or unfavorable living conditions. With good care of this reptile, its life expectancy is on average up to 12 years, although there are also centenarians who live up to 18 years.

Lifestyle

The common iguana is a diurnal animal. It is active in the morning and evening (before sunset). At this time, under natural conditions, the lizard climbs trees, where it happily basks in the sun. This is necessary for reptiles to produce vitamin D and thermoregulation.

The common iguana is not only an excellent tree climber, it is also a first-class swimmer. It is water that saves the lizard in case of danger. If the conditions for keeping the green iguana are observed, the owner will be surprised by the calm and docile nature of the unusual pet.

A young lizard can be tamed by frequently picking it up: it quickly gets used to this and becomes tame.

It would seem that you can immediately purchase a more spacious terrarium, but experts believe that in a smaller volume the young lizard feels more confident and protected. In such conditions, it will be much easier to tame her.

For an adult, the terrarium must be spacious so that the animal not only fits completely in it, but also has room for a pool, which is vital for green iguanas. The minimum size for an adult is 80x70x120 cm.

Decoration of the terrarium

According to experienced owners, the most the best option to cover the floor of the terrarium - a rubber lawn mat. It will not only give a more attractive appearance, but will also allow you to keep the lizard’s house clean: it will not harbor microorganisms that can harm the health of your pet. Before placing such a mat, it should be washed and ventilated well so that the reptile is not irritated by foreign odors.

A spacious pool will also be required, since it is in the water that the reptile defecates. For this reason, the water must be cleaned and changed regularly. Comfortable lighting for a green iguana is considered to be a daylight period of at least twelve hours. Try to imitate circadian rhythms. In this case, the reptile will feel more comfortable in captivity.

A prerequisite for keeping an iguana at home is a fluorescent lamp with a UVB emitter. This simple device will help the lizard produce the vitamin D it needs. In warm and sunny days The terrarium can be taken outside so that the lizard can enjoy natural sunlight. But at the same time, direct rays should not fall on it, since the glass will become very hot and change the microclimate of the terrarium.

Temperature

For the green iguana, a multi-level temperature regime is very important. This is due to the fact that reptiles are cold-blooded. The overall temperature in the terrarium should not fall below +28 °C; at the warming up point this figure increases to +35 °C, and at night it can drop to +20 °C. The lamp at the heating point should be placed at a safe distance (20 cm) above the top branch in the terrarium. The water temperature in the pool is not higher than +25 °C.

Humidity

Like most tropical animals, iguanas require at least 80% humidity. To achieve this level, you can place an aquarium heater (previously well insulated) in the pool: it will maintain the required water temperature and create evaporation, which will help maintain humidity. In addition, you should spray the terrarium with warm water three times a day.

Feeding

The green iguana eats dandelion leaves, clover, lettuce, and loves various fruits. He treats vegetables more coolly, although this largely depends on taste preferences your lizard. It is not recommended to give your exotic pet cabbage. It is advisable to add sprouted mung bean, especially when feeding offspring, as it is rich in protein.

While the lizard is young, it can be pampered with insects (in small quantities). Crickets and zofobas are suitable for this. A salad that is 70% leafy greens and the remaining 30% is chopped vegetables and fruits is something your common iguana will happily eat. Nutrition in the life of this reptile has great importance, but don’t forget about vitamins: they should be given twice a week. Place a feeder with crushed shells or eggshells in the terrarium: such a treat will become a source of calcium.

Common iguana: reproduction

Green iguanas reach sexual maturity between one and a half to three years of age. You will know that the mating season is approaching by the changed color. For males, the mating season lasts about a month, and for females no more than ten days.

After mating, the female carries the eggs for two months and then lays eggs. It is advisable to transplant the females into a separate terrarium during this period. The clutch consists of 40 or more eggs. It is removed and transferred to an incubator with a temperature of +32 °C. After 90 days, babies are born. During the period of gestation, the female needs a large amount of calcium and protein food.

Suborder: Lacertilia Owen = Lizards Family: Iguanidae Gray, 1827 = Iguanas, iguanaidae

Genus: Iguana Laurenti, 1768 = (True) iguanas

Species: Iguana delicatissima Laurent, 1768 =

Genus: Iguana Laurenti, 1768 = (True) iguanas

Representatives of the South American genus Iguana are characterized by a large tetrahedral head and an elongated body, noticeably flattened laterally, gradually turning into a very long, laterally compressed tail. Along the middle of the back and further to the very tip of the tail there is a well-defined dorsal ridge. Males have a strongly drooping flat throat sac, equipped along the anterior edge with a ridge of serrated scales.

Widespread in Central Ama The common rike, or green, iguana (Iguana iguana) reaches 180 cm in length and is the largest representative of its family. This lizard received its second name for the bright green color of its body, like a leaf, across which there are dark stripes, usually limited by narrow light borders.

Green iguanas lead a predominantly arboreal lifestyle, spending most of their time on tree branches growing along the banks of water bodies. In case of danger, they hide in the water, where they swim and dive excellently, using their long and very strong tail.

They feed mainly on fruits and succulent leaves, although they often also eat insects and other invertebrates.

“If you sail calmly and slowly on a boat,” writes Geldi, who observed green iguanas in Brazil, “you can see them at almost every step. One sits high on the fork of an airy siriuba tree, the other among the magnificent garlands of an Arribidaea bush. A newcomer to these areas will most likely notice large old specimens covered with dark skin. It takes a more experienced eye to distinguish young or recently molted lizards as they sit motionless in their magnificent finery on a cushion of succulent leaves of climbing plants and bask in the sun. Usually they wait until you get close to them, but if they take flight, you have to be surprised at their unexpected agility. The iguana swims and dives expertly, and unless it is mortally wounded, then, having fallen into the water, it usually disappears for the hunter... Since September, female iguanas leave the banks of rivers and go along the streams flowing into them, further inland. From there they move towards sandy shallows and dunes, where they dig shallow holes and lay eggs in them, then covering them with sand and leveling the laying site remarkably well... The clutch contains 12-18, at most 24 eggs... they have the shape of a wide ellipsoid. Their white shell is quite soft and yields under the slightest finger pressure. Nevertheless, it is very durable, and can be cut immediately only with a sharply sharpened knife.” Several females can lay their eggs in one common nest, where sometimes several dozen of them were found. The meat of iguanas, as well as their eggs, is widely consumed by the local population as food, and therefore iguanas are the object of regular fishing. In this case, they usually use specially trained dogs or use other methods of hunting, one of which is described by the modern German geographer and traveler Karl Gelbig: “The Indians know how to hunt leguans without firearms. Everyone had a harpoon with them... This is a stick about three meters long with a hooked tip, strengthened in such a way that, having stuck into something, it immediately separated from the shaft. A long rope is attached to the tip, equipped with a float at the other end. One of the team constantly peered into the trees on the shore - the favorite location of leguans. There they catch insects, pluck young leaves and sleep on the branches, warmed by the sun. Sensing danger, they simply fall into the water... If the leguan lay in such a way that he could easily be hit with a harpoon, then the conversation with him was short... But if it was impossible to use this weapon, then one of the hunters silently climbed onto tree and hit the branch on which the animal was lying with his club... With the swiftness of a cannonball, the leguan fell down, flopped into the water and, it seemed, was gone. But even at the moment when he was falling, another hunter rushed headfirst to the place where the leguan was supposed to dive... In almost all cases, the hunter soon appeared above the water, holding in both hands the smooth tail of a wildly writhing lizard... With a living leguan is not easy to handle; he has enormous strength, and also bites dangerously.”

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Abstract on the topic:

Real iguanas

Plan:

Introduction

• 1 Description
• 2 Meaning for humans
• 3 Classification
Literature

Introduction

Real iguanas(lat. Iguana) is a genus of large arboreal lizards of the iguana family.

1. Description

True iguanas are very large lizards, in rare cases reaching a length of more than 2 m. They are characterized by a large head, a body noticeably flattened laterally, long strong limbs and a very long tail. On the back and front half of the tail there is a high ridge along the ridge; under the lower jaw there is a hanging flat throat sac, also equipped with a ridge along the anterior edge.

Distributed in America from Mexico south through Central and South America to Paraguay and Southern Brazil, as well as the Lesser Antilles.

They live mainly in tropical forests, where they lead a mainly arboreal lifestyle. They spend most of their time in the crown on tree branches. They usually settle near bodies of water and, when in danger, hide in the water, sometimes jumping from great heights. They swim and dive well.

Herbivorous. They feed on leaves, shoots and fruits of various plants. Only occasionally can they eat animal food - invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Oviparous. There are 20-70 eggs in a clutch. The incubation period lasts 65-115 days.

2. Meaning for humans

The meat and eggs of iguanas are used as food by the local population, and the skin is used to make various crafts. In this regard, iguanas are the object of fishing. The common iguana is often kept as a pet.

3. Classification

There are two species in the genus:

• Caribbean green iguana ( Iguana delicatissima)
• Common green iguana ( Iguana iguana)

Literature

• Darevsky I. S., Orlov N. L. Rare and endangered animals. Amphibians and reptiles: Ref. allowance. - M.: Higher. school, 1988. - P. 258.
• Life of animals in 7 volumes / Ch. editor V. E. Sokolov. T. 5. Amphibians and reptiles. / A. G. Bannikov, I. S. Darevsky, M. N. Denisova, etc.; edited by A. G. Bannikova - 2nd ed., revised. - M.: Education, 1985. - P. 188.

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This abstract is based on an article from Russian Wikipedia. Synchronization completed 07/13/11 15:09:23
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The real iguana is also known among connoisseurs as green - due to the predominant color in the body color - and ordinary. However, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to describe the appearance and other characteristics of this animal with a second name. This large herbivorous lizard has a calm character and easily takes root in captivity, so it is quite popular among exotic lovers. And yet it cannot be said that keeping a real iguana at home is simple and easy. Like any other exotic lizard, it needs to create suitable conditions, at a minimum - a specially equipped terrarium and an appropriate climate with lighting. The real iguana, like other members of the family, is distinguished, for example, from agamas and chameleons, by the structure of its teeth. In iguanas, the teeth are attached to the jaw not with an expanded apex, but as if sideways. The body color of a real iguana is quite bright, so this lizard is beautiful in its own way. It takes its origin from the Central and South America. In size, a real iguana can be called medium, but there are also large two-meter and eight-kilogram individuals.

Classification

Kingdom: Animals
Type: Chordata
Class: Reptiles
Order: Scaly
Suborder: Lizards
Family: Iguanaidae
Genus: True iguanas
Species: Common iguana, Iguana iguana

Appearance

The body size of a real iguana is directly related to its living conditions. Standard characteristics - body 1.5 meters, weight 5-7 kg. But in the humid South American forests, rich in plant food, the above-mentioned giants are also found. But in arid conditions, for example, on islands, the size of a real iguana is 30% smaller than mainland individuals. Newborn true iguanas reach only 15-25 cm in length and weigh no more than 12 g. Moreover green color The skin pattern cannot be called characteristic of all representatives of the species; it can also change depending on the living conditions and life expectancy of the lizard. Southern true iguanas are predominantly bluish with black spots throughout the body. Among the island reptiles there are green, black, lilac and even pinkish iguanas, northern lizards can be reddish or orange, and Central American iguanas are bright blue when young, but change color with age.
The body shape of true iguanas is narrow, the body continues with a long tail flattened on the sides. A horny ridge runs along the entire ridge, and there is a leathery sac on the throat. The legs of real iguanas are not long with sharp claws to deftly climb trees. There are leathery shields on the head, and transverse rows of scales on the body. By the way, the tail of real iguanas, like many other lizards, tends to fall off, for example, if some enemy grabs onto it, but then grows back.
Sexual dimorphism in lizards is not particularly pronounced, but males have longer spiny scales on the tail than females, as well as a more developed crest. In general, males are larger, more massive and brighter. The teeth of a real iguana, due to their sharpness, could become dangerous weapon However, she rarely uses them, using them only for gnawing plant food. They are shaped like a leaf and seem to be hidden behind the jaw bones. Like marine iguanas, real lizards can also sneeze, removing excess salt from the body with moisture. Some Mexican individuals have small horns in the area of ​​the eyes and nostrils.
Young iguanas are most often bright green, this coloring is camouflage, so the iguana is not easy to see in a tree. And the dark stripes along the body allow the lizards to become invisible when they hide in various vegetation. Sometimes iguanas change skin color, for example, from stress, change temperature regime or lighting, but only on certain areas of the body.

Distribution and habitat

Among other iguanas, the real one is perhaps the most widespread on the South American continent. It is mainly found in the tropics, such as southern Mexico. Further, the range continues to central Brazil and countries such as Paraguay, Bolivia, and in the eastern part of the mainland it even covers the nearest islands - Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe, Aruba, St. Vincent, etc. The real iguana was brought artificially to North America, but today it can be found in the southern and coastal parts of the mainland, for example in Florida, Texas, Hawaii, as well as in the Antilles, American and Virgin Islands. In general, a real iguana lives wherever there is woody vegetation and enough moisture. It can be found in tropical forests, in open coastal areas or in thickets near river bodies. And the lizard spends almost all its time in the trees, closer to the crown, where there is the most sun. Only in cool weather do real iguanas descend to the ground. And sometimes the lizard uses the nearest body of water to swim to its heart's content, and it does this surprisingly deftly.

Behavior and lifestyle

Real iguanas are excellent tree climbers and are not afraid of great heights, falling from which they almost always survive, and even in flight they try to cling to branches or leaves with their claws. The main activity of lizards is during the day, since they see poorly in the dark. But the daytime vision of real iguanas is simply fantastic. Researchers have noticed that lizards generally avoid darkness and try to get out into more illuminated spaces if, for example, they are moved to a darkened part of the room. And whether there is a suitable amount of light around, real iguanas determine with the help of the “third eye”, located at the very top of the head, a photosensitive rudimentary organ, which today is only able to react to lighting and sudden movements - with its help, iguanas manage to avoid sudden attacks by a predator. Iguanas also have excellent hearing, so they immediately respond to even the slightest sounds. True, when body temperature jumps down or up, the lizards’ hearing worsens. True iguanas also have a good sense of smell. So all her senses allow her to quickly recognize danger and hide from it in the water. Although moisture is not as important for adults as it is for young ones, that’s why young animals live much lower in the trees, closer to the damp ground.
And iguanas swim in a very unique way, vibrating their tail in different directions. Lizards are also capable of moving quickly on land, but if they were unable to escape from the enemy, they will defend themselves aggressively and with remarkable strength, trying to hit with their tail, bite or scratch. True iguanas do not spend the night very high in the trees, but at dawn they climb higher to sunbathe or search for food. Male lizards often engage in fights for territory or display battles for females. And for the local population, real iguanas are the object of hunting, as they have quite tasty meat. But catching a lizard, much less picking it up, is not so easy. Sometimes the food of real iguanas has bad influence on the environment, as they can destroy rare species plants or occupy the burrows of rare and protected animals, for example, the rabbit owl. And about the life expectancy of lizards, it is known that in captivity they live much longer - up to 20 years, while in the wild they rarely live even up to 8 years.

Nutrition

From a nutritional point of view, true iguanas are absolute vegetarians. Their food is various tropical vegetation - leaves, shoots, flowers and fruits. Among the most favorite delicacies are Jamaican plum, incense tree and other exotic plants. Young iguanas are characterized by coprophagy, which is necessary for them to digest plant foods and obtain missing calories. Real iguanas do not know how to chew; they only tear off parts of plants with their sharp teeth and swallow them whole, and obtain water either from the nearest body of water or by licking wet greenery. Sometimes insects and small invertebrates are found in the stomachs of lizards, from which scientists concluded that iguanas also feed on animal food. However, in the end it turned out that these creatures were accidentally swallowed by lizards along with the plants in which they were hiding. But in captivity, real iguanas are sometimes fed rodent meat, albeit in very small quantities, because protein diet has a detrimental effect on the health of lizards.

Reproduction

Sexual maturity occurs in true iguanas at the age of 3 or 4 years. But sometimes they are able to reproduce earlier. The breeding season for lizards usually begins in winter months, but varies in different areas. For example, in arid areas, mating games of true iguanas begin at the very beginning of the drought, and clutches are made towards the end. The offspring are born during the rainy season, when there is more food available. When the breeding season approaches, males of true iguanas begin to actively search for females, and when they find them, they organize exhibition fights, which for some lizards end in tears. But if there is an escape route, the defeated enemy flees.
The males also choose the place for future mating, and then mark the chosen territory with a special secretion from the pores on the paws. And finally, the courtship begins, or more precisely, the “display performances” of the males, when they become brighter and puff out their throats wide. For real iguanas, as for marine ones, harems are characteristic, with both several female and several male individuals. There are also special caresses when males sniff their chosen ones and bite their necks.
The gestation period for female true iguanas is about two months, and when it comes to laying, the females go upstream of the reservoirs near which they live and look for dry sandbanks or hills. The clutch settles in a deep hole, which the female digs herself and where she lays many eggs over the course of three days. There can be from 20 to 70 pieces - in a white leathery shell, soft but quite durable. And real iguanas are also characterized by common incubators, when several females lay eggs in one hole, and then bury it and leave it, never returning to this place. In true iguanas, care for offspring is not expressed in any way. The eggs remain in the ground for about 3-4 months. In order for small iguanas to be born, they need to break through the shell using a fleshy “horn” on their forehead, and only then do they emerge to the surface.
In color, the cubs of real iguanas are similar to adult individuals, however, their comb is much less developed. Nature has arranged it in such a way that young real iguanas do not require parental care to survive. Newborn lizards often carry a yolk sac with supplies. nutrients for the first time. And the young prefer to grow up together, since in this case real iguanas have a better chance of surviving, and young males even protect the females from predators with their own body - an amazing and unique feature characteristic only of real iguanas. But not all masonry manages to “realize” its purpose. Many of them are destroyed by the local population, who consider iguana eggs a special delicacy.

July 21st, 2013

The common iguana was scientifically described by the Swedish physician and naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his System of Nature. In subsequent years, at least 17 more species and subspecies related to the common iguana were identified, but all of them, with the exception of the Caribbean green iguana, were declared invalid.

In the first half of the 2000s, employees of the American Utah Valley University conducted a study of the phylogenetic origin of the iguana using methods for comparing the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA of animals brought from 17 countries. The analysis showed that the species originated in South America, from where it spread to Central America and to the Caribbean islands. Despite the variety of colors and other morphological features, the study did not find unique mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, but did show a clear evolutionary divergence between the populations of South and Central America.

The name “iguana” originally comes from the word iwana, the name of the animal in the Taino language (the people who inhabited the Caribbean islands and disappeared with the arrival of the conquistadors). The Spaniards began to call the reptile in their own way - iguana, and then from Spanish the word migrated both to scientific terminology and to all modern European languages.

The largest representative of the family: the length of an adult iguana usually does not exceed 1.5 m and weighs up to 7 kg, although in the forests of South America some individuals can reach a length of 2 m and weigh 8 kg. In contrast, on semi-arid islands such as Curaçao, lizards are typically 30% smaller in size than animals found on the mainland.

At birth, the length of the cubs varies from 17 to 25 cm with a weight of about 12 g. Despite its name, the color of the iguana is not necessarily green, and largely depends on age and area of ​​residence. In the south of their range, such as in Peru, iguanas look bluish with black spots. On the islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba and Grenada, their color varies from green to pale purple, black and even pink.

In western Costa Rica, common iguanas appear red, and in more northern regions, such as Mexico, they appear orange. In El Salvador, juveniles often appear bright blue, but their color changes significantly as the lizards get older.

The green iguana is one of the most widespread species of lizard, whose original range covers the tropical regions of the Western Hemisphere from southern Mexico (the states of Sinaloa and Veracruz) south to central Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, east to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean - mainly Grenada , Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent, Utila and Aruba. In addition, in the second half of the 20th century, lizards were introduced to the island of Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, the mainland states of Florida and Texas, as well as Hawaii.

Habitats - varied biotopes with dense woody vegetation, mainly wet rainforests, but also semi-humid forests, mangroves and dry, open areas of sea coasts. Spends most of its life on trees, usually growing along the banks of slow-flowing rivers. Iguanas are active only during daylight hours.

They spend cool nights on thick branches in the middle and lower tier of trees, but with sunrise they try to climb higher, where they bask for a long time - sunbathing increases body temperature, and ultraviolet radiation produces vitamin D, which promotes digestion. Only after a few hours of basking do the reptiles go down in the canopy in search of food. In inclement or cool weather, the animal stays on the surface of the ground - this way it better retains internal heat.

An excellent climber, the lizard is capable of falling from a height of up to 15 m to the ground without breaking (in this case, when falling, iguanas try to catch the claws of their hind limbs on the foliage). The lizard also swims well, keeping its body completely immersed in water and extending its paws along the body, and moves with the help of sinuous movements of the tail.

In Florida, where iguanas live in coastal areas, they are considered an invasive species that disrupts the ecology of the region. Some of the animals arrived on the peninsula along with hurricanes that came from Mexico and the Caribbean islands. Another wave of “immigrants” traveled in the holds of ships carrying fruit from South American countries.

Finally, some animals were thrown into the street or escaped from their owners, or are descendants of such lizards. Iguanas often cause damage to gardens and green spaces. IN wildlife they eat the leaves of the rare tree Cordia globosa and the seeds of local species of caesalpinia - plants that are the main food of the extremely rare butterfly Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri, which is protected by the International Red Book. On Marco Island, off the west coast of Florida, iguanas occupy the burrows of jackrabbit owls, an owl whose status in the Red Book is listed as vulnerable (category NT).

In the wild, most iguanas begin breeding when they are three or four years old, although some are ready to breed much earlier. The beginning of the breeding season most often occurs in January or February, but can vary depending on the habitat: with a seasonal cycle of humidity fluctuations, mating games occur in the first half of the dry period, egg laying in the second (at this time the soil temperature is quite high, and there is less risk death of the clutch from problems associated with water), and hatching at the beginning of the rainy season, when the young shoots provide an abundance of food for the offspring.

During the mating season, which lasts about two weeks, males choose a future mating site, mark the territory using secretions from pores in the lower parts of the limbs, and become aggressive towards nearby rivals. In the wild, direct clashes between them are quite rare; in the event of a threat, the weaker lizard in the event of a conflict prefers to leave someone else's territory rather than engage in a fight.

If the ability to escape is limited (particularly when kept in captivity), then animals may bite each other. The demonstrative behavior of the male is frequent shaking of the head, inflating the throat pouch and changing the color of the body to a brighter, more saturated one. The combination of polygyny and polyandry is typical for the species, that is, often one male simultaneously courtes several females, and the female cohabits with several males. During courtship, males sniff and lightly nip females on the neck.

Pregnancy lasts about 65 days, at the end of which the females leave their traditional habitats along the banks of rivers, and along the beds of streams flowing into them, they go upstream to dry sandbanks and dunes. A hole with a depth of 45 cm to 1 m is dug in the sand, where the female lays eggs for three or more days. a large number of, 20 to 71, eggs.

The eggs are white, 35-40 mm long, about 15.4 mm in diameter, with a leathery and soft but durable shell. In case of shortage suitable places Several lizards can use one pit at the same time. In Panama, there are known cases of joint use of one pit by an iguana and an American crocodile, and in Honduras by an iguana and a crocodile caiman (Caiman crocodilus). Having laid eggs, the lizard carefully buries the hole and leaves the place, no longer caring about the offspring.

Incubation lasts from 90 to 120 days at a temperature environment 30-32 °C. The cubs are usually born in May, breaking through the shell with the help of a special fleshy growth on the forehead - a caruncle, and climbing to the surface of the earth. They are almost identical in color and shape to adult individuals, but have only a weakly defined crest.

Young lizards are quite independent, although when they are born they may have a small yolk sac containing a nutritional mixture for the first one or two weeks. The brood stays together for the first year of life. In a group, males use their bodies to protect females from predators - a feature noted only in this species among all other reptiles.

In the wild, iguanas live on average about 8 years. In captivity, with proper care, a green iguana can live more than 20 years.

Unlike most other species of the family, green iguanas are exclusively herbivores, eating the leaves, shoots, flowers and fruits of about 100 species of tropical plants. Thus, in Panama, one of the lizard’s favorite delicacies is the Jamaican plum (Spondias mombin).

Other types of woody vegetation, the greens and fruits of which iguanas most often feed on in nature - incense tree (Bursera simaruba), erect thecoma (Tecoma stans), pointed annona (Annona acuminata), amphilophium paniculatum vine (Amphilophium paniculatum), merremia ambellata (Merremia umbellata ) and etc.

Young lizards often eat the excrement of adult animals to meet their needs for the microflora necessary to digest low-calorie vegetarian food. Animals are not able to chew food; they only cut off fairly large pieces with their small teeth and immediately swallow them whole. Occasionally, iguanas drink water, plunging part of their head into the pond and swallowing it, or lick drops from greenery.

Sometimes in reference literature there are reports that iguanas in the wild also feed on insects. Another source claims that lizards also eat bird eggs and carrion. However, no published academic research confirms that animals digest animal proteins

Moreover, all publications say that all lizard components necessary for development are obtained from food of plant origin only, and a protein diet is harmful to their health. Insects and other small invertebrates can indeed be found in the stomachs of lizards, but experts believe that they are swallowed only by accident along with plant food: for example, an iguana can swallow an insect sitting on a flower bed along with the flower.

In addition, a hungry lizard can eat an animal for lack of other food. On the other hand, observations at the Miami Seaquarium and on the island of Key Biscayne in Florida recorded iguanas eating dead fish. In his book, Philippe De Vosjoly claims that in captivity, lizards can eat rodent meat without any harm to their health.

In ancient times, the Mayans believed that the world was located inside a giant house, and four iguanas, which the Indians called “Itzam,” acted as its walls. Each iguana symbolized a certain side of the world and had its own special color. In the sky, the tails of the iguanas converged, thus forming a roof. The Maya called this house "Itzam Na" (literally "iguana house").

In the classical period, in some cities, Itzamna was revered as a god, personifying not only the iguana, but everything in the world. God was so great and all-encompassing that he was rarely depicted in pictures. At the end of the classical period, the use of the image of the iguana as a deity gradually ceased, however, even in the 16th century, the Spanish missionary Diego de Landa observed how the Indians sacrificed the green iguana to the gods.

The Indians of the Moche culture, which developed in western Peru, also worshiped many animals, including the green iguana.

Numerous figurines and images of this lizard have been preserved, including in the Larco Museum in Lima. Also, one of the most frequently encountered characters in the drawings is a humanoid deity with the head, crest and tail of an iguana. This deity, often accompanied by another deity in the form of a man with a heavily wrinkled face and round eyes, is one of the key figures in the funeral procession.

Scientific classification

• Kingdom: Animals


• Type: Chordata


• Class: Reptiles


• Order: Scaly


• Suborder: Lizards


• Family: Iguanaidae


• Genus: True iguanas


• Species: Common iguana