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Iguanas – The “Chickens of the Tree” – Lesson

These animals use their eyes to communicate with one another.

Iguanas, primarily the Green Iguana, live in parts of Central America, North America, and South America. They are herbivorous lizards that can grow to be quite large. In some parts of the world, they are considered to be invasive pests. In the United States, they are primarily kept as house pets. Their preference for building their habitats in the treetops and the taste of their meat has some Central and South Americans referring to them as “chickens of the tree.”

Ancestry and Evolution

Iguanas have a rich evolutionary history that dates to the time when dinosaurs were alive and well. The first animal that was close to what an iguana is today began its existence during the Jurassic Period. Since that time, iguanas have undergone significant changes. Reptiles have learned to adapt to various environments, including thickly vegetated areas and marine habitats. Their ability to conform to changing conditions has made them one of the most diverse reptiles on the planet.

Appearance

The different species of iguana vary in size and weight. The green iguana, the most common, weighs about 11 pounds and is around 6.5 feet in length. Other species can weigh as much as 30 pounds and reach up to 7 feet in length. Their bodies are covered in scales, with thicker, more tightly packed ones on their dorsal trunk. A large, round scale on their cheeks is known as the subtympanic shield.

Iguanas come in several different colors, each helping them blend into their surroundings. They are often difficult to see, especially from long distances. These reptiles have excellent eyesight, with the ability to see movement, shadows, shapes, and colors from far away. They also use eye or vision signals to communicate with others of their kind. Many lizard species, including iguanas, have what is called a parietal eye. It is an organ located on the back of its head that sends signals to the pineal gland, letting the animal know whether it is daytime or nighttime. Additionally, iguanas contain a photopigment known as parapinopsin that helps them determine night versus day.

Diet and Habitat of Iguanas

Iguanas are classified as omnivores, though they primarily consume food like herbivores. Their favorite foods include green leafy plants, flowers, buds, and the fruit of a fig tree. They also love to eat insects and will sometimes indulge in carrion, dead animal flesh.

Iguanas prefer to live in forests but can adapt to other more open areas as well. In those areas, they live  beneath the ground to avoid predators. They primarily make their homes in trees. Younger iguanas settle closer to the ground while the more mature reptiles reside in the treetops. They seldom come down from their dwellings unless to lay their eggs.

Reproduction and Lifespan

After a female iguana has chosen a mate, he leaves his scent at the nesting areas the female has built. After mating, the female will lay between 10 and 30 eggs over an approximate 65-day period. It takes between 90 and 120 days for the eggs to incubate and hatch. A single female’s average litter is three. The newborns feed from the fluid inside their eggs for the first couple of weeks after birth. They are very small when born (approximately half an ounce in weight). They grow to just over two pounds over the next couple of years. They reach their full size around three years of age.

It is common for iguanas that are properly cared for to live 15 to 20 years. Some zoos report them living upward of 60 years. However, the wild is a whole different story. A wild iguana is lucky to live to be just eight years old.

Predators

Iguanas’ greatest predators are large birds that primarily feed on the young. Dogs and feral cats hunt and eat the reptiles, just like humans. It is common for humans to use iguana parts as fish bait. For most species of iguana, their population status is good. There are some species, however, that are seeing a decline, especially those who are native to the Cayman Islands. This is due to deforestation and the removal of the animal’s natural habitat.

Interesting Facts About Iguanas

  • There are several iguanas portrayed in various animated shows, with arguably the most popular being Bad Bill from the movie Rango.
  • Iguanas can shed and regrow parts of their tail, which is a helpful tool when facing predators.
  • Some birds will follow iguanas around and eat the insects the reptile kicks up during their travels.
  • The eggs of iguanas are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world.

  1. In some parts of the world, iguanas are considered to be invasive pests; in the United States, they are primarily kept as house pets.
  2. The common green iguana weighs about 11 pounds and is around 6.5 feet in length; other species can weigh as much as 30 pounds and reach up to 7 feet in length.
  3. After mating, the female will lay between 10 and 30 eggs over a 65-day period. It takes between 90 and 120 days for the eggs to incubate and hatch.

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