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Status: Threatened in most regions; Endangered in Belize. Diet in wild: flowers, fruits, insects, small vertibrates. Life span in wild: 10-15 years. Size: Up to seven feet, but usually four to six feet long. Native habitat: Central Mexico, south into northern South America, and the Caribbean islands.
Black Pine Animal Park 1426 W. 300 N. P.O. Box 02 Albion, IN 46701 (260) 636-7383
©2008
Professional Animal Retirement Center, Inc.
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Green Iguana Green iguanas are native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean islands. These cold-blooded reptiles, commonly called lizards, are well-adapted to their natural habitat.
Black Pine is home to two iguanas,
LaRita (above) and Zilla (below). Both were formerly house
pets. Unfortunately, Iguanas use their long tails as a whip for defense. Their tails will grow back if bitten off by a predator or lost to injury, with no permanent damage. To learn more about keeping iguana as pets, click here. |
The Animals
Iguanas
have long claws to help them climb and hold on, yet they can drop from as
high as 50 feet to the ground, or into water to escape predators.
Though not generally endangered, they are in places like Belize where
people hunt them for food, and for the pet trade. Adult females are
especially at risk, prized for their meat, which natives call "bamboo
chicken".
iguanas are readily available in the pet trade,
but many people don't do their homework before acquiring one.
Iguanas require specialized care that includes
proper heat, UV lighting, and humidity, and plenty of room to move
around. They are often aggressive as adults, making them unsuitable
for being around children. They will grow to be up to seven feet
long, too, much larger than many pet stores may advise.