Pictures Of Iguanas

New Pet Iguana - Tame Them



Iguanas belong to the family of lizards. Like most reptiles, iguanas belong to the cold-blooded animals whose body temperature changes with the temperature of the air or water around it that is why iguanas have excellent capability to survive to the environment.



Iguanas have a long, whip-like tails, eyelids, four sprawling legs, big mouth and saw-like teeth. Iguanas are of different species. They may differ in behavior, size and color which may vary from green to yellow. Some has a vivid color, some has dull color. These creatures usually have a life span of 15-20 years in captivity.



Iguanas have its unique adaptation to its habitat. The Marine Iguanas are skillful swimmer, the Green iguanas can usually be found in rainforest, and others, like the desert iguanas have the ability to adapt and survive even in dry and hot desert.



There are iguanas that are readily available in pet shops. These have gain the popularity of iguanas for pet. It is challenging to own iguanas especially in taming it. Unlike cats and dogs, iguanas are not domesticated animals. It takes time before they become comfortable and tame. They have still the instinct and behavior that help them survive in the wild even after years of captivity and breed.



It is also very important when handling iguanas, to make sure they are comfortable. Iguanas are sometimes territorial aggressive creatures. In taming them, you need to be patient. It is best to handle them daily. In handling them, do not swoop your hand from above them, they may think you’re a predator, remember these creatures are used to wild habitat. Instead, bring your hand to its eye level and approach them slowly. Don’t make any fast moves. There are pictures of iguanas and how to handle them that may give you vivid picture on how to handle them. Talking and whispering while you are approaching them may also help. Handling your iguanas on daily basis and spending time with them will gradually tame them. Understanding their body language and their real meaning, like bobbing of their head, whipping their tail will help you interact with your pet better.



There are highly debated topics when it comes to feeding or what to feed to your iguanas. Iguanas are basically herbivore creatures. They eat leaves, fruits and flowers. Improper feeding may result to death or sickness of your pet. Iguanas are strictly vegetarian. Although there are books that say iguanas can be fed other animal protein based foods. It is recommended for them to have a varied diet.



Iguanas have saw-like teeth that they use to rip and tear their food instead of chewing it. Clean and chop the food finely before giving it to them. It is important for your iguanas to have strong and healthy bones. Providing them with a wide variety fresh food that is high in calcium and phosphorous and clean water is good for your iguanas’ diet. Iguanas should be fed daily. At least two leafy green each day.



The amount of food that you may give to your iguana depends on the size and the appetite of your pet. It would be best to give them enough food that will last all day and even leave food at night. You can also find tables of good food that you can feed to your iguanas.



Reading up more information about iguanas, such as how to tame them, proper training, handling and proper feeding them will help you successfully kept them for years.

Pet Iguanas

Pet Iguanas: What can You Expect from Them?



Nearly thousands of people are currently keeping pet iguanas in their homes. But then certainly, there are a few valuable information to note of when intending to keep pet iguanas. The pet stores give pertinent information to the buyers of these reptiles especially when it comes to their behavior, caging, lifestyle, and diet. The internet also hosts the most worthy information about taking care of pet iguanas. So if you are a budding owner of pet iguanas, this article is just for you.



Iguanas are the most popular lizards that are taken home to be pets. They rank to be among today’s pet “fads”. They are even sold in the most affordable prices in several pet stores. They are not that difficult to take care of but of course they are to be highly maintained. Things such as veterinary medications, feeding techniques, caging tips, and many others are among the most particular things to consider when getting pet iguanas. Yes, the pet iguanas must be properly caged and well-fed so as not to risk their long life span. They become very huge that owners may think they will be hard to tame, feed, and control. At times, the bigger and matured iguanas can become really aggressive. They may also attempt several times to escape.



So what should you expect from a pet iguana? Obviously, what you need to give your pet iguana is sufficient tender loving care. Aside from that, you should also maintain right sanitation within its cage. You must be careful to handle your iguanas especially when there are children, pregnant women, elderly people, and not yet immunized individuals that try to be in contact with your pet iguanas.



Which iguana will be right for you to take care of? The "Iguana iguana" or the rainforest green iguana ranks to be the most-sought after pet iguana by many people. These plant-eating lizards find solace in the shrubby places. If you intend to have them as pets, you must create a homey environment for them. It will be utterly significant to provide branches that will allow them to bask under the heat of the sun that will be allowed to enter into their housing. More so, alternative heat sources can be utilized. You just have to be careful not to let your pet iguanas reach the bulbs and other heater devices or else they will get burned.



It is also important that you know of its digestive makeup. The iguanas are known to be Hind-Gut fermenters which mean that their lower intestinal tracts play a major role for their survival. Such digestive tract is held to be responsible for the production of the fatty acids, water reabsorption, vitamins, and many others. Malnutrition and uncleanness often result to sickness and death of the pet iguanas. Overall, you must learn how to cater to the food and habitat needs of your supposed to be pet iguana.



Like any other living being, the pet iguanas have their own taste preferences. They may or may not like certain foods that you will give. It is better to study the overall profile of your pet iguana so that it can live its life to the fullest. Having pet iguanas will give you some time to understand how animals of these species react and behave. Their existence actually lies on your own hands.

Marine Iguana

What are Marine Iguanas



As its name suggests, the marine iguana is set apart from the rest of its relative mainly because it has a unique attribute of being capable to forage and live in the seawater. The marine iguana is in truth only to be found thriving within the Galapagos Islands that is why its existence in the island has branded the reptile the name “Galapagos marine iguana”. The natural habitat of the marine iguana is on the rocky shores of the Galapagos Island but they can likewise be seen in the mangrove and marshes beaches.



Some people such as Charles Darwin describe the marine iguanas as the black lizards thriving on the sea. But the truth is that the marine iguanas are not usually black in color. The younger marine iguanas take the dorsal stripe color whereas the adult ones are grayish. Their color may be really dull but there is a reason behind this. Such color allows them to easily absorb heat right after they emerge out of the water. Their food is usually the marine algae. They expel the remaining salts from their nasal glands as they go on with basking under the heat of the sun. The salt contained in their bodies makes their faces appear whiter.



More so, the matured male marine iguanas have a varying color—all of which depend on the existing season. During the breeding seasons, the adult male marine iguanas become teal-green or reddish in colors. Those thriving in Santa Cruz appear in black and red brick while those found in Fernandina come in dull green and brick red colors. Their sizes likewise differ which depends on the island that they live in. Those found in the whole of Isabela and Fernandina are the largest marine iguanas in the entire island of Galapagos. Meanwhile, the smallest marine iguanas are to be found in Genovesa.



As said to be poikilothermic animals, the marine iguanas can only spend very little time out in the cold sea whenever they dive for their algae food. Thus, they commonly swim within the very shallow water of the island. After swimming, they proceed to bask under the sun to have their bodies warmed up again. During the cold days, the marine iguana cannot effectively move thus making them too vulnerable for their predators. Since they cannot move fast, what they do is to strike their tails up in the air and bite their enemies. During the entire breeding season, the male marine iguanas mate with the females and likewise guard them against the rest of the male reptiles.

Moreover, the marine iguanas adjust their sizes to be able to adapt to the food condition in existence. There was a time during the onset of the El Niño when the algae decreased in number so the marine iguanas actually decreased in their lengths too. When the food supply started to normalize, the reptiles returned to their normal condition. The marine iguanas are not as fast as the rest of its relatives. When taken as pets, their predators become the dogs and cats. They can be easily attacked by these predators since they are too slow and much tamed.



To date, the government of Ecuador has set up laws that aim to protect the existence of marine iguanas. There are artificial nestling sites which had been made in the smaller islands so that there will be lesser predators that can harm them.

Male Iguana

Iguanas – What Are They?



Iguanas are considered as a relative of lizards. They are among the exotic animals that are kept as pets by some people in the present-day society. In fact, there are many pet shops now that sell iguanas at a fairly low price. The iguanas that are usually sold in these pet shops are those that are quite young. People see these iguanas as very cute that they become interested in keeping them as pets. But the fact is they are still reptiles that has the tendency to grow bigger and bigger and can become very aggressive.



Iguanas can be a good pet but you should not forget that like other pets they need proper feeding and care. To understand the proper way to care for iguanas, it is important that you have knowledge of the basic nature of iguanas, their feeding habits, their habitat, and other issues relevant to their existence.



What is an iguana? Are they similar to lizards? What are their characteristics? Are they harmful? Iguanas belong to the family of lizards. Specifically they are a member of the family Iguanidae. They are deemed to be invasive species that are mostly found along the shores of Gasparilla Island and the coastline of the gulf of Florida. They are commonly seen in the beach and attics of houses. But generally speaking, iguanas thrive best in the wilds especially in deserts and rain forests.



There are various species of iguana. They normally vary depending on the environment in which they live. Some iguanas dwell in dry lands while others grow best in rain forests. Some are even found in the sea. These iguanas are called marine iguanas. There are also iguanas that are called as green iguanas. They are very common in Mexico and the South American countries particularly in Brazil. By and large, iguanas are classified into four major kinds namely: marine iguana, green iguana, blue iguana and lesser Antillean iguana. In terms of the food they eat, iguanas are known as herbivores. They feed on leaves, fruits, and other parts of plants.



Iguanas have different features and behavior. In essence, a male iguana looks and acts in a different way compared to a female iguana. In terms of territorial behavior, a male iguana will fight tooth and nail with other male iguanas even if their life is at risk. They do this to win supremacy over the territory. A male iguana will find other males and wage in war. Just like humans, the male iguanas have ego, they want to be the only powerful male iguana in a certain territory. They seek out for other males to declare war and mate with females.



Hence, there are other things that you have to know about iguanas. These include the fact that iguanas are arboreal. They dwell in trees and it’s just natural for them to climb on some stuff as well. They lay eggs and they can stay alive for 30 years.



All in all, if you want to keep an iguana as a pet, you have to take into consideration the do’s and don’ts of caring for them. The cage of your pet iguana should be cleaned well regularly. And also the cage must be very big. In addition, you have to take into account that your pet iguana should have the appropriate kind of lighting, supply of heat and water. They should be fed on a daily basis. It is important to feed them properly so as to keep them on good physical shape. And most importantly, the iguana should be taken to the vet for a checkup at least once a year. When you have understood all these things, then you’re ready to house an iguana.

Information On Iguanas

Information about Iguanas that can stop you from getting one



Having some basic information on iguana will make your decision whether to take one or not. Take note that having them as a pet is not because it is what your friends have. You should not only make the wrong assumption of thinking that it is the easiest pet to take care of and to have around.



Below are some informations that will help you decide why you should NOT have iguanas in your home.



1. Iguanas are not cheap.



The minimal amount that you pay for an iguana is only the beginning. What follows next are the series of equipments and accessories that is needed in caring for your iguana. There is the special cage with special lighting installed to keep its body heat.



You will also need some shelves for them to climb on and a timer to monitor changes in temperature. Feeding them is also a consideration. You need to buy green and leafy vegetables that are rich in calcium and vitamins to keep them healthy.



If you do not have the budget set aside for these things, then you should consider against having one as a pet.



2. Iguanas are not low maintenance pets.



They may look small enough not to cause you trouble or problems. That is just their appearance. As miniscule as they seem, they also need to be handled with care and given proper treatment just like any other pet.



Their places needed to be washed and cleaned. You also need to tame them yourself so that your iguana will grow up disciplined and manageable.



These things should be done on a daily basis so that the iguana will be trained early on. In addition, you may find it difficult to tame them once they are bigger and restless already.



3. Iguanas are not "huggable".



You cannot hold your iguana in your lap and cuddle with them like you do your cats, dogs or rabbits. Although you can put them in your shoulder or hold in your arms, you should adhere to some restrictions that will prove vital to your health and well being.



This is especially if you do not have a tamed iguana. Chances are, they will bite or scratch you at the first sign of contact.



4. Iguanas are not sociable.



Notice that no matter how much you try, you will not be able to build rapport between your iguana and other pets in the house. This is because iguanas consider other animals are enemies. For them, these animals are predators waiting to eat them up.



Since iguanas are not as big as any other kinds of pets, there is a big possibility that they might be stepped on or squashed when other pets start playing around in your home. That is why you find these iguanas all by themselves in a quiet and dark corner.



5. Iguanas are not the kind of pet for small children.



Do not agree with your child if ever they decide to have an iguana for a pet. This is because these reptiles are not suitable for minors who do not know about proper handling and caring.



Stick to dogs or cats if ever your child is not big enough to understand what iguanas are like as pets.



So, what information about iguana is stopping you?

Iguanas 2

Interesting Facts about Iguanas



Here are some things you might want to know about iguanas:



1) They are better suited to eating plants – some sources still continue to say that iguanas are omnivores. To say that iguanas will benefit from eating both plant and animal products would be mistake. This is because the metabolism of the iguana is better suited to absorbing plant proteins. The proteins found in animal products are just too complex to be properly utilized by iguanas. This means that not all proteins can be absorbed by their bodies as nutrients.



So what happens to the unabsorbed proteins? Well, it is usually stored as uric acid. This uric acid can have very harmful effects on your iguana. A build up of uric acid can cause gout. Getting rid of animal protein can also be very hard work for an iguana's kidneys. This means that feeding animal products to your iguana may cause it to have kidney problems. This shortens the iguana's life.



2) Iguanas can be trained – many people think that iguanas are stupid animals. However, people who own iguanas can actually attest to the opposite. A pet iguana can be trained to do many different things. Some people have toilet-trained their iguanas. Other people have trained their iguanas to do different types of tricks. Some iguanas can even find their way home!



These feats attest to the fact that iguanas are far from stupid. Sometimes, people just tend to judge other creatures as being lower than them.



3) They can grow up to six feet long – most people think that iguanas will always fit their cages. However, when an iguana is properly taken care of, it will grow up to six feet long! This means that you will have to prepare a habitat that can accommodate an iguana's growth. Some people may not be able to immediately provide a large enclosure for a six foot iguana. However, you should realize that an iguana will grow to that size and so you must always plan ahead.



4) Iguanas are arboreal – Wild iguanas spend most of their time on trees. What are the implications of this? Well, an iguana owner has to simulate an iguana's habitat. This means that you need to put some climbing materials on your iguana's enclosure. Of course, you don't have to put real trees inside the enclosure. However, you should consider placing a post or something that your iguana can climb on.



5) Iguanas need sunlight – some people think that artificial lights are good substitutes for sunlight in an iguana enclosure. However, what you need to know is that iguanas need sunlight not just for the visible light. An iguana utilizes UVA and UVB light in absorbing nutrients properly. This is because the UVB light triggers a chemical reaction in an iguana's skin which helps it make the vitamin D3. This vitamin is used to properly process calcium in the bloodstream.



These are just some of the little quirks that you may want to know about iguanas. As you can see, taking care of an iguana is not an easy task. In order to take proper care of an iguana, people should learn as much about them as possible. By taking these little details into consideration while caring for an iguana, you would assure the continued health of the iguana.

Iguanas

Man’s New Best Friend: iguanas



Dogs are man’s best friend.



That’s what we usually hear.



But would you believe if I tell you that iguanas can be your best friend, too?



Sure, we’ve heard a lot of stories about people treating dogs, cats, birds, and fishes as best friends. But how many would want large reptiles like snakes and lizards as best friends?



If you’re an ordinary pet owner, you might take a rain check on taking care of an iguana. But you’ll never know the joy being felt by those who dared to live up to the challenge.



Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to have an iguana as a pet:



1. Iguanas are vegetarians.



If you’re a pet owner, chances are, you have to go to a pet shop and buy food. It’s bearable if you have to buy only the simple dog food or cat meal, but what if you have to buy mice? Or worms, cockroaches, crickets, and the like? Most of the time you have to hold these tiny creatures and feed them to your pet – may they be affectionate or seemingly uncaring.



You don’t have to go to a pet shop to feed your iguana. You can simply pick greens from your garden or buy fresh vegetables from the grocery. Isn’t that simple?



2. Iguanas usually hit it off with their owners.



Unlike some lizards and snakes, iguanas are known to interact with their loving caretakers. Some would sleep beside their masters – evidence that iguanas can be very close to human beings.



Some are calm when held by their owners, but would twist and bite when held by a stranger. Nevertheless, some are so tame that anyone can hold them.



Some iguanas would even allow their owners to dress them up in silly outfits.



3. Iguanas live long.



We all would like to have a pet that would live very long since you’re going to invest emotion, not to mention money for food, medicine, and veterinary services.



While rats, hamsters, or bearded dragons may live only a few years, iguanas, like cats and dogs, may live up to 20 years.



Actually, the oldest iguana on record lived up to 29 years!



4. No hair or fur will stick to your clothes or worse, get into your nose!



If you’re asthmatic, you very well know the difficulty of being around animals that would make you sick. Iguanas, however, being reptiles, have none of the fur and hair that would send you to the hospital.



5. Iguanas are very educational.



Children will learn a lot when they care for iguanas. They have to know about temperature, rainforests, animal husbandry, importance of proper care of lizards, etc.



It maybe good to take note too that these lizards are distant relatives of dinosaurs and taking care of them will provide children with a venue for study of the prehistoric creatures.



Iguanas are good subjects for Show-and-Tell, research work, and the like as well.



As you can see, there are lots of reasons to become an iguana owner. Why not live up to the challenge? Go to your nearest pet shop and get an iguana for you and your family now!