Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Facts and Myths about Green Iguanas

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Green Iguanas

Facts and Myths about Green Iguanas

Some green iguana pet owners often have certain false information about them which could interfere with their ability provide adequate care. While some of these myths may not be too harmful, others could endanger their iguana's health and well-being. Here are some common myths about green iguanas which you should know about:

1) It is true that you may feed your green iguanas lettuce since your green iguana is vegetarian by nature. However you should understand that the common table lettuce lacks the nutritional value for a steady diet. Some of these pet owners realize too late to change their diet to a more nutritional mixture. The problem is that the green iguanas will continue to feast on your lettuce even when you add more nutritional food to it's diet.

You can best care for your green iguanas by feeding it vegetables that have a high
nutritional value. Examples include collards, turnip greens and mustard greens.

2) A small cage will control the Iguanas growth.

Some people are afraid their iguanas may grow too large and will keep them in small cages to control their growth to more convenient sizes. A green iguana, when properly taken care of, can grow up to six feet long. The only thing this will accomplish is making your green iguana's life very uncomfortable.

3) Iguanas need to have gravel in their diet

This is a very dangerous myth. Some people add gravel or small pebbles to an iguana's enclosure because they think that these will help a green iguana to digest its food. However, you should realize that gravel or any such material could kill your green iguana if it is consumed. You should try to avoid feeding your green iguana these materials, whether by accident or on purpose.

4) Hot rocks are great for keeping Iguanas warm.

Some people will add hot rocks to their iguana's dens, thinking that it's good for the iguana's body temperature. What you need to remember is that green iguanas are cold blooded. This means that if a green iguana sits on a hot rock, it can literally be cooked to death in no time. If you wish to provide proper heating for a green iguana enclosure, you should use special lighting available in most pet stores.

5) Iguanas can eat anything - insects, pet food, and other animal products

Many sources today still maintain that iguanas should be given animal protein as part of their diet. However, the truth is that green iguanas are best suited to an herbivorous diet. The body and metabolism of a green iguana is designed to utilize plant proteins effectively. Animal proteins, on the other hand, can prove to be very troubling to them. Consumption of animal proteins can cause your green iguana to develop gout. It can also lead to serious kidney problems. The only reason that iguanas eat insects in the wild is because these get mixed up with their food accidentally.

These are just some of the myths that you may have heard about green iguanas. By knowing the truth about these myths, you are now equipped to give the best care possible to a green iguana.

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Interesting Facts About The Rhinoceros Iguana

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Rhinoceros Iguana Facts and Fiction

General Habitats Of The Rhinoceros Iguana

The rhinoceros iguana is a close relative of the Galapagos marine iguana. It can be found mainly in the tropical dry forest of the North America Continent, in the Caribbean Islands and the island of Hispaniola. A close relative of the rhinoceros iguana have been spotted on the Nassau Island, but is believed to be extinct. The scientific name of the rhinoceros iguana is the cyclura comuta. We will explain some vital details about the rhinoceros iguana in this article.

Physical Description Of The Rhinoceros Iguana

The rhinoceros iguana is one of the most powerful of the lizard family. Its has a firm crested row of spines at its back and it's body is very stout in size. With it's long legs, it is able to walk with its body elevated above the ground. The male rhinoceros iguana can grow up to 56 cm by length and 10 kg in weight. Like most of the iguanas species, the rhinoceros iguanas regulate their body temperature by means of solar energy.

The skin of the rhinoceros iguana is encrusted with epidermal scales which gives it a rough texture. It's skin color is typically a grey-brown hue and the head is also covered with large scales. Some species even sprouted horns which are possibly formed from these scales.

The males are obviously bigger than the females and are credited to develop bigger horns too.

Diet and Lifestyle Of Rhinoceros Iguana

Iguanas feed mainly on green vegetation and can be seen devouring leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits. The rhinoceros iguanas diet varies based on the season and the onto genetic.

They are known to eat land crabs, insects, and other animal food. The younger rhinoceros iguanas often feed on small insects and animals. These creatures will fiercely defend any special bush or location which is their main source of food, even from other species of their own kind.

During the daytime, they usually spend most of their time eating and then sunbathing under the heat of the sun. At night, they do retreat into the burrows, caves, or into some hollow trunks. The male rhinoceros iguanas are the ones that serve as the defenders of their territories and can be found atop the tall trees and large rocks as their sunbathing areas. They also tend to be hostile towards the rest of the male species and very territorial. The head-bob is used by the rhinoceros iguanas to communicate with one another.

Reproduction Of The Rhinoceros Iguana

The rhinoceros iguanas mating season usually starts in the spring just before the rainy season which comes in the later part of May. The females will excavate their tunnels of about one meter in length to fit in the 34 eggs that they will lay. Typically, the laying of the eggs comes at the earlier part of August. After a period of six months, the eggs start to hatch. The young take after their parents but are considered to be more of tree-dwellers. Their maturity stage settles in after three years and they could live up to about 30 years.

Today, some people opt to keep the rhinoceros iguanas for pets unlike the earlier times when more individuals would happily have these creatures as food.

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Monday, July 13, 2009

Information On Understanding and Caring For Iguanas

Understanding Iguana Pets

Iguanas: Their Differences and Similarities


Green iguanas are the ones you usually bring home to take care and pamper. What you may not know is that there are different types of iguanas out there. Oftentimes, you will see these other types not in pet stores but in the forests where they live.

There are actually six types of iguanas. These are the

1. Dipsosaurus, the desert iguana.
2. Ctenosaura, the spiny-tailed iguana.
3. Lemanctus, casque-headed iguana.
4. Corytophanes, the helmeted iguana.
5. Cyclura, the rhinoceros and rock iguana.
5. Chalarodon, the Madagascar iguana.
6. Green iguana.

The famous iguana that is fast becoming a part of most households is the green iguana. These iguanas may be of different types and appearances but they all have similarities terms of diet, habits and size.

1. Iguanas Are Herbivores.

The description of herbivores is the kind that eats only plant or plant matters. It can be noted that there are not many reptiles that can live on plant food alone. This is what makes iguanas unique from them. This may be the reason why people want these reptiles for their pet. Feeding them is not as hard as any other animals.

Being herbivores does not mean that you can just pick any plant out there to feed your iguana. If you want to maintain its health, consider giving them nutritious green and leafy vegetables. Try lettuce. You can give it to them regularly. If you do not have an abundance of vegetables to supply, consider other alternative sources of leafy plants.

2. Pet Iguanas Need A Tropical Temperature.

Iguanas are used to having tropical climates all year round. That is why you will not be able to find an iguana habitat in places where there are shifts of hot and cold climates.

This is one thing that you should consider once you have decided to have a pet iguana. You are required to monitor the temperature around your house or in shelter that you have provided for them.

Iguanas need constant heat to maintain their body temperature. Many iguana owners have realized that there is an increase in the usage of their electric heaters or gas once they have an iguana in their household.

So if you are located in locations where there is a winter season, make sure that your heater works. If you do not have one reliable source of heat, then it is a wise idea not to consider getting an iguana.

3. Taming Your iguana Pet.

Your pet iguana will not get tamed on its own. As the owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that you tame your iguana well so that they will be able to socialize well with you and with others.

A tamed iguana will be able to roam around your house without moving or eating on anything that arouses its curiosity. You can also take them outdoors or in events outside of your home. You also have the ability to caress, hold and cuddle your iguana once you are assured that it will not harm you when you do so.

4. Iguanas Become Huge.

You might be misled into thinking that your iguana will remain small and tiny all throughout its life cycle. This is a misconception.

All types of iguanas will grow its full size once they are taken properly care of. In 3 to 4 years time, expect your iguana to be five to six feet long.

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