Iguana Information
How To Care for Iguanas as Pets
1) Description - the desert iguana (Dipsosaurus Dorsalis) is 10 to 16 inches long when fully grown. It has a large, round body with a long tail. In fact, the tail of the desert iguana is longer than its body. Described as "blunt-headed", desert iguanas have very distinct coloring patterns. The head of the desert iguana is colored brown. This coloration diffuses into reddish brown pattern which could be described as looking like a net.
The desert iguana has gray spots on the trunk and neck. Desert iguanas also have dark spots on their white or gray tails. A row of dorsal scales are located down the center of the back of the desert iguana.
2) Habitat - As can be gleamed from its common name, the desert iguana lives in arid desert regions. Desert iguanas are commonly found in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts founding the southwest of the United States. They are also located in Northwestern Mexico and some islands on the Gulf of California. In the southern part of its habitat, the desert iguana usually lives in arid subtropical areas and deciduous forests.
In the desert, these animals can usually be found around the range of the creosote bush. The desert iguana makes use of the creosote bush for shelter and for food. There are also several cases of desert iguanas moving into the abandoned lairs of kangaroo rats.
They are hardy animals, often active even when other lizards have already retreated from the heat. They are also inclined to burrow into the soil near creosote bushes.
3) Food - desert iguanas are primarily herbivorous. This means that they are inclined to eat plant matter. They will eat bud, leaves and fruits of many types of perennial or annual plants that are found in their habitats. They are especially attracted to the yellow flowers of the creosote plant.
4) Behavior - as said before, desert iguanas remain active even during intense heat. However, if the heat proves too much, a desert iguana will climb bushes in order to seek cooler temperatures. They are very quick and they can often be seen crossing roads just before an oncoming car. When a desert iguana runs at these speeds, it often does so on two legs. It folds its front legs near its body and uses its powerful hind legs to propel it forward.
5) Natural enemies -like other animals, desert iguanas have natural enemies. In fact, even before they hatch, there area lot of animals which would eat iguana eggs. A mature desert iguana also has different birds of prey as its natural enemy.
Other common enemies of the desert iguana are small animals such as rats, weasels, foxes and snakes. Of course, man is also one common enemy of the iguana. Many a desert iguana has fallen prey to the automobile. These desert iguanas are now referred to as "roadkill" by the human beings who drive these machines carelessly and without regard for the lives of small animals.
These are just some facts about desert iguanas. As you can see, there are many things about them that people need to know. Hopefully, these facts have opened your eyes and have shown you that desert iguanas are so much more than stupid medium sized lizards. By learning all you can about desert iguanas, you will soon be able to fully appreciate their beauty.
| It’s Raining Cats, Dogs and Iguanas at the Puerto ... - GlobalPost Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:18:00 GMT ARMCHAIR GOLF is in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, for the Puerto Rico Open. THE AVERAGE RAINFALL in Puerto Rico in March is about an inch. My question is, “Which March?” It’s raining cats, dogs and iguanas in Rio Grande, site of the 2010 Puerto Rico ... | ||
| Beverly J. Barber, 78, Asotin - Lewiston Morning Tribune Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:30:00 GMT Jayne always surrounded herself with pets, everything from iguanas to her last and most loved, her dog Gidget and her cat Cleo. Cleo never left her side and Gidget passed on Feb. 15, 2010. Jayne is survived by sons Ronald Artman of Mitchell, Ind., | ||
| U.N. wildlife watchdog considers ban on bluefin tuna - Post-Bulletin Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:24:00 GMT And less-known species such as the spiny-tailed iguanas of Mexico and Central America and the spectacular Dynastes satanas beetle of Latin America — both prized by collectors — will be discussed. Susan Lieberman, director of international policy ... | ||
| 'Jihad Jane' is recalled fondly - Abilene Reporter-News Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:52:00 GMT Hernandez remembers LaRose’s pet iguanas, little red sports car and the peace signs she would flash whenever she would see Hernandez and her daughters around town. When she heard the news about “Fatima LaRose” on the radio, it didn’t occur to ... | ||
| Ivory and bluefin tuna top agenda at UN wildlife summit - BBC Science/Nature Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:16:00 GMT Other proposals would see trade banned in a number of reptiles and amphibians, including three iguanas from Mexico and the critically endangered Luristan newt of Iran. Four species of shark are also up for consideration, as are the red and pink ... |