Iguana

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For other uses, see Iguana (disambiguation).

Iguana

A green iguana (Iguana iguana)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Sauropsida
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Iguanidae
Genus:	Iguana Laurenti, 1768

Species

Lesser Antillean Iguana, I. delicatissima
Green Iguana, I. iguana

Although iguana can refer to other members of the lizard family Iguanidae, this article concerns members of the genus Iguana. For information on other genera, see Iguanas.

Iguanas can be considered an invasive species along the gulf coast of Florida, especially on Gasparilla Island (where there is an estimated population of over 12000). This is due to a combination of escaped and intentionally released iguanas which have survived and then thrived in their new habitat. They commonly hide in the attics of houses and on beaches and often destroy gardens. As an introduced species, they contribute to natural habitat loss, spread salmonella, and may be responsible for the recent decline of the gopher tortoise.

1 Habitat
2 Diet
3 In captivity
4 Species in the genus Iguana
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Habitat

Iguanas live in the neotropical desert , usually at lower altitudes near a water source (lake, river). They spend most of their time in the higher forest canopy, about 15 meters above the ground. Iguanas mainly like to stay up in the tree tops, away from predators.

[edit] Diet

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. Note, however, that the feeding of green iguanas in captivity is a separate issue — although the lizards will eat animal food if presented with it, it has been argued that systematic consumption of animal protein is likely to result in severe health problems and possible premature death ^[1].

[edit] In captivity

For an article on the information on the species of iguana most commonly kept as pets, see green iguana.

Several species of this genus are common as pets, especially the green iguana in the United States and Canada, which can easily grow to six feet long, even in captivity. When treated well, iguanas can be docile, affectionate, litterbox trainable, and even walked on a leash. Such pets are either crèche-raised, or harvested from the wild in Mexico. The average life span of a well-cared-for pet iguana is usually about 20 years.

Captured iguanas kept as pets tend to be thin and nervous, often dying from side-effects of the stress of adapting to captivity. However, their chances of survival improve if they are given a large swimming area in which to hide, duplicating the iguana's natural habitats - stream banks in the wild, into which the iguana can dive when alarmed (or for other reasons). As iguanas are cold-blooded creatures, they thrive in humid climates. The green iguana requires temperatures from 75 to 90 °F (23 to 32 °C). If it is not kept under UVB lighting, it can develop metabolic bone disease. 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.

[edit] Species in the genus Iguana

(after Frost et al.)

Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima
Green Iguana, Iguana iguana

[edit] References

Frost, D.E. and R.E. Etheridge (1989) A Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Iguanian Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata). Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 81
Frost, D.R., R. Etheridge, D. Janies and T.A. Titus (2001) Total evidence, sequence alignment, evolution of Polychrotid lizards, and a reclassification of the Iguania (Squamata: Iguania). American Museum Novitates 3343: 38 pp.