The Iguana Species

There are many types of iguana species and new ones are being discovered all the time. The most common ones seen in the home as pets are the green iguana. These are best suited to life with humans because of the different types, they are a good size brightly coloured and their characteristics are good natured – compared to other iguanas, and easy going. But they can be demanding to care for and need attention from their owners.

The desert iguana is smaller than its Central American cousins. It is found in the deserts of California and Nevada. Desert iguanas grow to reach approximately ten inches long. They are diurnal creatures and are active during daylight hours and sleep at night. They are reddish brown in colour with distinctive netlike markings on their upper body. They eat insects and plants such as the desert-native creosote bushes.

Rhinoceros iguanas are an endangered iguana species. They live in the Caribbean and can grow between two to four feet long. They are brown and grey colours with strong legs and flattened tails. They have large bodies and their heads are strong looking, hence the name. They are mostly herbivorous and eat plants, berries and fruits and flowers on their native Caribbean islands. They are endangered, although they are well established in captivity.

The Madagascar iguana is tiny compared to some of the others. It has a slender body and shiny scaly features. Its colours are muted reddish browns. They are a conundrum because they occur well away from other iguana species, and yet taxonomically they fit the criteria of ‘iguana’, so how they arrived in Madagascar is a total mystery. They are carnivorous and mostly eat insects and small rodents

Helmeted iguanas are another iguana species found in Central America, mostly Mexico. They can grow upto fourteen inches in length and live among the lower branches of trees. They can eat spiders and other lizards and earthworms etc.

Iguanas are such a varied species that new ones have actually been discovered. But they have been missed for centuries because they are already endangered! The new pink species of iguana is a larger, scaly version and only lives on the side of one particular volcano in the Galapagos Islands. New iguanas have also been found on Fiji with brightly coloured markings. These interesting species constantly surprise even the most knowledgeable experts!

About Iguana Lizards

When deciding to own an iguana as pet, you should be aware of the particular needs and requirements regarding their care. Iguana lizards are not cats and dogs, and need more than a terrarium to live in. Iguanas are wild animals that live usually in tropical environments, free, under conditions that make them live a long and happy life.

Unless you are able to provide them similar conditions, you should not consider buying such a demanding pet. Starting with the iguana housing, proper conditions are needed: heat, light, water, safety and substrates are just a few of the elements you should be aware of.

When in the wild iguana lizardss tend to bask in the sun, because the natural light and heat helps their digestive system perform better and efficiently. Iguanas depend a lot on the humid environments as well, because that helps them shed their skin. A warm and humid habitat is what makes an iguana lizard live longer, and be healthier.

This practically means that you should be able to provide them a similar habitat, ensuring the most proper heating and humid conditions for the reptiles. Iguanas take a good care of themselves when in their natural space, but when in captivity they have to rely on you. You should be able to offer a warm and humid house, enough and proper light, as well as the appropriate food.

If considering buying an iguana lizard, you maybe know that it can be very eclectic with its food. Actually, iguanas could eat everything, but not everything is good for them. Animal proteins and certain greens should be avoided, while particular kinds of veggies ensure a great performance of their fragile digestive system. If the iguana is properly fed and can spend time in direct natural light, chances are that it will stay healthy for a long time.

Iguanas can be social reptiles, only when they want. If you plan to buy more than one iguanas you should make sure that they are not in the same, or close by cage, because they tend to become very aggressive. Sometimes they get along better with other animals, but do a little research before actually deciding what to do.

Iguana lizards can be very friendly and affectionate towards humans, provided that they feel safe, secure and loved. If you can provide your pet what it needs, owning an iguana lizard is pretty cool. If you cannot, it’s better to skip it, because you can rid both you and the iguana of the frustration.