Where does the green iguana live? Large and unpretentious - green iguana

Iguana(aka bull iguana, green) is a large lizard that lives mainly on trees and trunks and is awake during the daytime.

Cats, dogs, parrots have become such familiar animals that they won’t surprise anyone. Many people are thinking about purchasing an exotic pet- snake, spider, lizard.

Iguanas have been in great demand for several decades now. s - large lizards originally from South America. They attract attention with their original appearance, calm character and non-standard behavior. When purchasing such a pet, you should understand that keeping an exotic animal will require a lot of time and money. The slightest mistake in care can lead to the most tragic consequences.

Iguana family: description, types, photos

The iguana family belongs to the suborder of reptiles. These are one of the largest lizards on the planet. Currently, about 38 species are known, which are divided into 8 large groups. They differ in size, color and lifestyle.

1. Marine They live only on the Galapagos Islands. They are able to spend a lot of time underwater.
2. Desert- the most miniature. Maximum length body including tail - 40 cm.
3. Real iguanas- the largest, growing up to 2 m in length. Divided into 2 types. Ordinary ones are purchased for maintaining a home. Meat and eggs are eaten, and crafts are made from the leather.
4. Fijian tabbys are characterized by spotted colors.
5. Konofols, as well as marine iguanas, live only in the Galapagos. They differ in color - brown body and yellow head. Listed in the Red Book.
6. Chuckwells live in the USA and Mexico. Lizards are small in size (no more than 1 m) with a dull color.
7. Ringtails live on the islands of the Caribbean. There are 8 varieties.
8. Black- the largest group, with 15 species. In lizards, sexual dimorphism is clearly visible.

Common iguanas are purchased as pets. They eat plant foods, have bright colors, a phlegmatic and accommodating character.

Green iguana: appearance

Common iguanas are called green, but their colors can be any - red, black, purple. It all depends on the environment. Lizards are large in size - up to 1.7 m in length. Interestingly, almost a third is the tail. It grows up to 42 cm. Weight is variable - from 1.5 to 12 kg. The drier the climate, the less body weight.

The iguana has a memorable appearance:

• long tail, which serves as a serious weapon and helps to swim;
• longitudinal ridge from head to tip of tail;
• rough folds on the body and a “bag” on the neck;
• short paws with sharp claws;
• body covered with dense scales.

Common iguanas do not have webbed toes, so they are not well suited for life in water.

Iguanas have a third eye on the crown of their head, covered with a translucent film. Scientists still cannot determine its purpose and consider it a rudiment inherited from distant ancestors. But according to some studies, this organ responds to changing light conditions during the day.

Animals have very sharp teeth that can bite painfully. If a lizard loses a tooth, a new one quickly grows in place of the old one. A sharp crest, claws and a long tail serve as protection from enemies.

Iguanas have a very unique metabolism. Excess potassium salts are excreted from the body not through genitourinary system, and when sneezing. Many lizards have another unique property- the ability to smell with the tongue and see ultraviolet rays.

Habitat and lifestyle

In nature, green iguanas prefer to live in humid, warm climates. Their habitat covers tropical forests Southern and small parts North America, islands in the Caribbean.

They settle in places with dense vegetation, mango thickets or near water bodies(sea shores, rivers, streams). They are active only during daylight hours. During the day they bask in the sun, maintaining body temperature. At night they rest on the lower branches of trees. Life expectancy in natural conditions is approximately 8 years.

Nutrition

Green iguanas are vegetarians. Their body is not able to digest animal protein. Insects or their larvae can enter the lizard's body only by accident - along with the leaves and fruits of plants.

Some researchers claim that a hungry or captive iguana can eat a small animal. This is true. But constant consumption of food, rich in protein, does not lead to anything good.

IN natural environment lizard eats leaves, fruits and flowers tropical plants:

• Jamaican plum;
• incense tree;
• thecomoy;
• Merremia.

In total, there are more than 100 plants that the iguana eats.

Reproduction

Green iguanas reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age. The mating season begins in January or February. At this time, males become very aggressive. In the struggle for territory and the female, they often engage in fights, inflicting damage on each other. terrible blows tails. Weak animals prefer not to enter into conflict, but immediately flee.

The female carries eggs for a little more than two months and lays them in a dry sandy area, leaving her usual habitats. This process sometimes takes several days. One clutch can contain from 20 to 70 eggs. Incubation period lasts from 3 to 4 months (depending on ambient temperature).

Immediately after birth, the cubs are very similar in appearance to adults. They are distinguished by independent behavior, but during the first months of life they prefer to stay in a small group. A newborn iguana weighs about 12 g and has a body length of 15 to 25 cm.

Natural enemies

The iguana has many enemies in its natural environment - birds of prey, some types of rodents, big snakes. Their prey in most cases is young, old or sick animals.

The adult individual, due to its coloring, often goes unnoticed in the dense green foliage of the tropical forest. It often flees from snakes or larger lizards. Only wounded animals show aggression. The rest prefer not to get into a fight.

Iguana and man

The relationship between iguanas and humans goes back hundreds of years. The ancient tribes of South America worshiped large lizards, they were deified and sometimes sacrificed. This cult gradually disappeared with the arrival of the conquistadors.

In Mexico and some other countries, meat is used for cooking. The most famous dishes:

• roast guisado;
• birria;
• coconut stew.

Iguanas have been very popular pets lately. However, their sale is controlled to avoid extinction of the species.

To keep a reptile at home you need to purchase a terrarium. It should be spacious and well ventilated. As the lizard grows, its size should also increase.

Air temperature is of great importance. Iguanas are cold-blooded animals, so the climate greatly affects their health. The terrarium must be equipped with heaters. The optimal air temperature is from 26 to 35˚С.

It is necessary to purchase an ultraviolet lamp complete with the heater.. Basking under its rays, the pet will receive the necessary amount of vitamin D. This element promotes digestion and absorption of calcium. Insufficient lighting levels lead to the development of bone diseases and the death of the animal.

In addition, the terrarium must be equipped with a small pool with warm water and thick tree branches. There it will be easier for the lizard to bask under the lamp. All accessories can be purchased at a pet store or from a breeder.

What to feed

In its natural environment, the common iguana feeds exclusively on plant matter. At home, it is recommended to feed her the same food. Your pet will benefit from:

• green;
• asparagus;
• dandelions;
• bean and bean pods;
• vegetables and fruits.

Some claim that iguanas living in captivity happily eat meat and insects. The lizard can eat these foods. But a diet rich in protein often causes kidney failure. and subsequent death of the animal.

Before buying a green iguana, you should think about whether you have enough time and patience to care for an expensive and exotic pet.

Green iguana or common iguana (lat. Iguana iguana) is large lizard from the iguana family, feeding on vegetation and leading wood image life. Despite its size, lizard lovers often keep green iguanas at home.

The common iguana lives throughout tropical and subtropical North and South America. Mexico can be called its homeland, and further south, through Central America to Paraguay and Argentina. They were also brought to south Florida where they took root.

There are differences in appearance depending on the habitat. The iguana living in South America is called Iguana iguana iguana, and tolerates cold weather much worse, unlike the iguana living in Central America - Iguana iguana rhinolopha.

Some iguanas from Central America have horns on their faces, which can be either barely noticeable or reach 3-4 cm in length. All subspecies are now combined into one species: Iguana iguana.

Habitat: tropical rainforests and thickets along rivers. They spend most of their time in trees; when in danger they can jump into the water.

Size and lifespan

Large lizards can reach a maximum size of 1.5 meters in length and weigh more than 9 kg. Moreover, males are larger than females, which rarely reach a size of 130 cm. Also, a sexually mature male green iguana has a larger crest on its back.

With good care, a domestic green iguana can live 15 to 20 years in captivity.

However, this volume is enough for acclimatization, since if you immediately put the baby in a huge terrarium, it will not be easy for him to find food and water. It is also easier to tame a lizard, so a small terrarium at the initial stage is better than a spacious one.

But an adult green iguana needs a VERY spacious terrarium.

This graceful baby will grow very quickly and can grow into a 1.5 meter dinosaur, which an ordinary fan simply has nowhere to keep.

For an adult domestic green iguana, you need not a terrarium, but an enclosure. At least 3.5 meters long, 1.8 wide and high. The height of 1.8 meters is very important, since in nature they mainly live in trees.

A simple rule: the enclosure must be at least twice as long as the iguana, and the width must be no less than its length. In addition, do not forget that you cannot keep two male green iguanas in the same enclosure, otherwise they will fight.

Substrate

It is best not to use a substrate, or use a large fraction. The fact is that iguanas, while feeding, can swallow part of the soil and die because of this. This is especially true for children. If you notice that during the hunt they grab soil, it is better to remove it from the terrarium.

Lighting and heating

Green iguanas need a very warm climate and the same conditions need to be recreated at home. For juveniles, one heating llama is enough, but for adult iguanas, there are at least six llamas so that it can warm its entire body.

In addition, UV lamps should be used in conjunction with heating lamps. Ultraviolet lighting is necessary for the lizard to produce vitamin D and absorb calcium. Otherwise, it will lead to diseases and deformation of the skeleton. The Repti Glo 5.0 lamp from Exo-Terra works well.

There should be a heating point in the enclosure, with a temperature of at least 40 C. The heat source should be located above the iguana, this will help the iguana regulate its body temperature.

The fact is that the common iguana has a “third eye” organ on the top of its head, behind the eyes, which is responsible for controlling movement, changes in light and darkness. It is needed for two purposes - to respond to danger (from above, birds of prey) and to regulate body temperature.

Of course, part of the enclosure should be cool so that the common iguana at home can choose places with higher and lower temperatures. A warm corner with a temperature of about 40 degrees and a cool corner with 27 degrees.

It is very important that she can regulate her body temperature herself by moving between these places. And given its size, the terrarium must be appropriate.

Do not use any heating sources that heat from below. This could include rugs, stones and heated decor. The fact is that the iguana does not recognize them as a heating point, and gets overheated and burns. The paws and stomach are especially affected, leading to the death of the lizard.

Water

Water must always be available. Remember that small iguanas may not recognize the water bowl. So they need to be sprayed daily and bathed twice a week to make sure they don't suffer from dehydration.

If you already have a teenager, then spraying him will also not be harmful, just like bathing him. For adult individuals, if possible, you should place a pond of a size in which they can swim. In nature, green iguanas live near water and are excellent swimmers.

Feeding

Green iguanas are exclusively herbivores; in nature, they eat vegetation and tree fruits. At home, they eat dandelions, zucchini, cucumbers, turnips, cabbage, and lettuce. Fruits can be given no more than once a week, as heavy feeding causes diarrhea.

Preparing food for small iguanas is a little different than feeding adults. When you cut food, you need to chop it into pieces that they can swallow without problems. Remember that common iguanas They do not chew food, but swallow it whole.

In addition to plant foods, you can also feed commercial ones, which provide the lizards with everything they need. Their disadvantage is the price, whatever one may say, and ordinary greens are cheaper.

It is imperative to give calcium supplements about once a week. And under no circumstances should green iguanas be fed protein foods! This will lead to the death of the lizard.

Appeal

Young green iguanas do not usually bite, but avoid excessive interaction until they are accustomed to their new home. They can make smart pets, unlike snakes and other reptiles. The fact is that iguanas recognize their owners and show individuality with them.

But, don't buy iguanas on impulse! The babies are cute looking, small and people buy them as a toy. And then they grow and problems begin, since this is a living and rather specific creature. If you have read this article and still want an iguana, then there is a high probability that you will be able to keep one successfully.

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The iguana has been a revered and great creature since ancient times. Even in the Mayan tribe, there was a belief that iguanas are the walls of a house in which the whole world is located. There were four of them, and each of the iguanas meant a certain side of the world and all differed in color. These iguanas were called "itzam". And the tails of the iguanas were connected at the top, acting as a roof. The house had its own name - “Itzam Na”, which means “iguana house”. This house was considered a deity, and they were afraid to depict it anywhere, it was so great and strong. The green iguana was worshiped by Indians and other tribes, for example, the Moche (or Mochica, a South American culture that existed before the arrival of Columbus, from the first to the eighth centuries). They also elevated the image of the iguana to a deity.

So, regular or green? iguana(“Iguana iguana” is the Latin scientific name) is a lizard from the iguana family. As a rule, you can see it on trees. Now the iguana is distributed throughout South and Central America. Initially this lizard was distributed only in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, the Caribbean Islands and Paraguay. Now the iguana lives in the Republic of Panama.

The iguana was first described by the famous Swedish doctor Carl Linnaeus. In 1758, the tenth edition of his work “Systems of Nature” was published, where, among other representatives of the fauna, there was the famous iguana.

Why did the lizard get this name - iguana? It turns out that when the conquistadors sailed to the Caribbean islands, the Taino tribe lived there ("Taíno" - this tribe of Indians was the indigenous population of Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Dominican Republic before the arrival of Columbus). When the Spaniards communicated with representatives of this tribe, they heard them call the marvelous lizard “iwana”. The word was modified by the Spaniards as they liked. As a result, throughout the world the lizard "iwana" began to be called "iguana".

The iguana is usually one and a half meters long, and weighs at least seven kilograms. True, larger individuals have also been encountered, but this is rare. Also, the size of a lizard depends on its habitat. In drier areas, iguanas tend to be smaller.

The color of the lizard can be different, as well as the size, it depends on the habitat of the individual. And also on the age of the iguana. They can be green and bluish, and lavender, black, red, orange, bright blue and even pink!

The iguana's body is quite thin and its tail is very long. A crest runs along the back and tail; it protects the lizard from enemies. The iguana's tail helps it swim and fight enemies. If necessary, the tail can be sacrificed to a predator; over time, a new one grows. The iguana's throat is decorated with a “bag”, which seems to be compressed from the sides. He has great value to maintain the lizard's body temperature, and also plays a certain role in the mating season. The iguana's short legs have rather sharp claws. It is thanks to them that the lizard can calmly move through the trees. The iguana's head is covered with scutes, and its body is covered with scales. On the front and hind legs of the lizard there are five fingers, long, and there are no membranes.

It turns out that the iguana has a real third eye! It is located on the top of the lizard's head and looks like white scales. The iguana inherited this feature from its ancestors, although now it does not work at full strength, nevertheless, the eye, like an ordinary one, contains both a lens and a retina. It is very convenient, due to its location, the lizard reacts to danger that is approaching from above.

How to distinguish a male iguana from a female? It turns out that males have much longer and stronger scales along their tails than females. Also, the hind paws of males from below emit a pungent odor, and since the pores in this place work best, the paws look as if they are covered with wax.

The green iguana becomes able to reproduce at approximately three or four years of age. The breeding season of iguanas begins in January or February. But the area where the iguana lives plays a big role here, since mating games, as a rule, occur at the beginning of a period of drought, and lizard eggs are laid at the end of this period. This is intended to keep the eggs of the green iguana warm, and the offspring are born at the beginning of the rainy season. It is then that there is a lot of greenery for the normal nutrition of the iguana and cubs.

The iguana feeds on bougainvillea leaves ("Bougainvillea" is evergreen shrub, climbing), flowers, shoots, fruits of various tropical plants. In the Republic of Panama, the iguana prefers to eat the Jamaican plum ("Spondias mombin"). The iguana is a completely herbivorous reptile.

Himself mating season lasts for two weeks. Males are very aggressive at this time, defending their territory, which is previously “marked” with secretions from the pores on their paws. But iguana lizards, as a rule, try to avoid fighting among themselves.

The male attracts the female by shaking his head and inflating his throat pouch. The color of the male also changes and becomes brighter, thus making the male noticeable. Love games of iguanas begin with sniffing, and the males also gently “bite” the neck of the females. A male can have several females during the mating season, just as a female can have several males.

The female iguana remains pregnant for sixty-five days. She lays eggs in the sand, at a depth of forty centimeters to one meter. There are a lot of eggs in the clutch, the smallest is twenty, but this number can increase to seventy. The iguana lays no less three days. Interestingly, several iguanas may well use one nesting hole if someone fails to find nice place and for yourself. After the iguana has laid a clutch and buried a hole, it leaves this place forever; the offspring must take care of their own lives. In the Republic of Panama, cases have been recorded where an iguana and an American crocodile ("Crocodylus acutus" is the Latin scientific name) or a crocodile caiman use the same hole to lay eggs.

After about a hundred days, at a temperature of thirty to thirty-two degrees Celsius, small descendants of the iguana are born. Their length is from seventeen to twenty-five centimeters, and their weight is only eleven grams. These marvelous creatures pierce the egg shell with their “forehead”, or rather, with a growth on the forehead. Newly born iguanas look the same as their parents, only their crest is not yet sufficiently developed. For a whole year, all lizards emerging from one hole stay in a group; it is interesting that the males protect the females in dangerous moments, covering with their bodies. This is unique to iguanas, among all reptiles.

The lifespan of iguanas in the wild is about eight years. Whereas in conditions of complete comfort, that is, in a nursery, a green iguana can live for more than twenty years.
Although in at the moment The green iguana population is not endangered, but it is listed in the second appendix of the CITES Convention on International Trade.

Panama and other countries monitor trade in this species, as iguana meat and eggs are consumed as food. Interestingly, in western Mexico, iguana meat and eggs are part of national cuisine. The meat of this ancient lizard is steamed in salted water for half an hour, after which it is either fried or stewed. Even a dish famous in the Republic of Panama - corn tortilla tacos - is made from iguana meat.

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The exotic iguana lizard looks impressive and beautiful, especially for our cold latitudes, but the desire to acquire such a pet often ends at the planning stage of arranging conditions for the reptile. Many people are concerned about the question of how to care for an iguana at home, because this animal is accustomed to hot and humid climate Central and South America. Moreover, the question of a specific diet also remains open, since to ensure proper nutrition It’s not so easy for a tropical lizard, and the question of what to feed an iguana at home is quite acute.

In this article we will try to answer most of the questions about this animal, as well as help you choose a healthy iguana as a pet.

Description

The iguana is a large herbivorous lizard that inhabits the tropical regions of America. The largest representative of the family reaches a total length of up to 1.5 m. Distinctive feature These reptiles have a huge tail, the length of which is twice the length of the body. The body reaches a length from the tip of the nose to the beginning of the tail of no more than 40 cm. The weight of an adult male reaches 4 kg, females - up to 3 kg.

The body is thin, and the tail is flattened laterally. The upper part of the iguana's body is covered with a longitudinal ridge, and a skin pouch is located on the throat. The legs of this lizard are short, with powerful toes, which helps representatives of the species feel great among tree plantations.

Did you know?The iguana was first described by Carl Linnaeus. This happened in 1758 in the scientist’s tenth book, “Systems of Nature.”

The body is completely covered with scales, which are arranged in transverse rows.

The color of the main representatives of the species is bright green, which helps the animal hide among tropical foliage. But many representatives also have colors ranging from purple and red to blue.

Body color primarily depends on the region natural habitat iguana and the age of the individual.

The organs of vision are highly developed; the lizard can see objects at a great distance without any problems, but with the onset of night the iguana’s vision sharply deteriorates. The animal's hearing is well developed; the auditory organs are able to detect the smallest rustle in the grass.

The teeth are sharp, with small teeth along the edges, but iguanas are primarily herbivores.

Did you know?In addition to the light spectrum visible to humans, the domestic iguana is also able to see ultraviolet rays - this helps the lizard regulate the amount of vitamin D it receives during sunbathing.

Iguanas are distinguished by the characteristic salt exchange between the body and environment. Since these animals do not accumulate urine in the body, excess salts are excreted through special salt glands located on the head in the form of crystallized powder.

How to choose an iguana when buying

Choosing a healthy individual to keep at home is not easy. The pet store can display both young and those that have been with more than one owner.

It is important to choose a healthy reptile, for this you need to examine the iguana from all sides.

The signs of a healthy and young animal are as follows:

• clean and healthy skin, without damage or abscesses;
• clean stomach, without burns, substrate residues and feces;
• clean and dry anal opening, without residual discharge;
• body without bruises and tumors;
• the hind legs are formed equally, the lizard calmly steps on both legs;
• the eyes are clear, the nose is clean, the oral cavity is also clean, and the mucous membranes are pinkish.

A healthy, tame iguana treats people well and actively interacts with them; a healthy but aggressive individual will try to escape from your hands and may even try to hit you with its tail.

A sick animal will behave passively, and any person will be indifferent to it.

It is also important to examine the reptile's lateral folds from the front legs to the hips. If there are any, the animal is exhausted and dehydrated.

Conditions for keeping

Caring for and maintaining an iguana at home is not difficult, but this issue should be given special attention, since only proper arrangement of the habitat in the apartment will contribute to a long and healthy life pet.

These lizards are whimsical to everything, especially to temperature conditions and humidity, then we will dwell on the conditions of detention in more detail.

Terrarium dimensions

As the animal matures, the habitat must be increased to 500 liters or more. It is important to create coziness and truly comfortable conditions.

Important!For those who are too young big cage It is not recommended to purchase, as this may negatively affect the development of the iguana.

To do this, lay a medium-hard mat on the bottom of the terrarium; this will not only give comfort to the pet, but will also make cleaning after it easier. An important element will be a thick, dry branched branch along which the lizard will crawl with pleasure.
A good option would be an oak branch, which will also play the role of a natural antiseptic. The top of the branch should go towards the heating lamp. This is necessary so that the animal independently controls the heating of its body.

A quarter of the reptile's habitat should be dedicated to a pond. The lizard will drink from it and undergo water procedures. It is also worth taking care of a heating lamp with automatic temperature control.

Temperature, lighting, humidity

The climate in the cage plays a key role in the proper maintenance of these lizards. The optimal air temperature will be +30 °C during the day and about +22 °C at night.

Important! Climbing branches should not come closer than 10 cm to the heating lamp; this will protect the iguana from possible burns.

This temperature should be shown by a thermometer, which is located on the side opposite from the heating lamp, but near the lamp itself the temperature should not be higher than +38 ° C (at a distance of 15 cm).
For lighting it is necessary to install UV lamps. They should be located on the ceiling of the cage and burn together with a heating lamp in the daytime for 10–12 hours.

UV lamps must be changed at least once every six months. This will protect the lizard from a lack of vitamin D in the body.

Important!If you cannot achieve an optimum air humidity of 80%, try to create less humid air rather than over-hydration.

The humidity in the terrarium should be within 80%. For better control, we recommend installing an automatic water sprayer or fountain, tray with plain water cannot always provide optimal level air humidity.
To control humidity, it is necessary to use a hygrometer, since excess moisture can lead to fungal infections in the iguana. You can buy such a device at any pet store.

In artificial conditions, ventilation is very important for representatives of the iguana family. The terrarium must have adjustable ventilation holes.

Drafts are contraindicated for this animal, so ventilation openings should not be located opposite each other on opposite walls. Make them in one place, preferably in the upper corner of the cage.

Pet care

Having a live iguana at home is more fun than hassle. Caring for this animal is not a difficult task, but most owners, due to inexperience, make many mistakes, which directly affects the health and appearance iguanas Let's look at the main difficulties of keeping these lizards.

Walks

Walking an iguana on the street is only permissible during hot weather. summer time at temperatures above +25 °C. Walking an animal in a public garden, park or garden is allowed only if it is completely tame.

When walking, it is important to ensure that the iguana does not run away from the owner and is not harmed by other pets. Therefore, you need to purchase a special collar with a leash at the pet store.

Outside the terrarium, many dangers await domestic lizards; The first thing you should protect your pet from are poisonous ones, many of which can cause death after consumption.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that the lizard does not eat anything during a walk. Be especially careful that the reptile does not pick up animal feces, wood, pebbles and other dirt - this can lead to stomach blockage and death of the animal.

Bathing

All iguanas love warm water, so your iguana will be happy if you give him a real swim at least once a week. To do this, fill the bath with warm water no higher than +35 °C. After this, place a board or branch in the water so that the reptile can climb on it.

Place the animal on a raised surface in the water and wait until the reptile climbs into the water. If this does not happen, lightly pour warm water over your pet. Bathing time is no more than 30 minutes, it is important to ensure that the water does not become too cold.

After water procedures, wait for the reptile to cool down a little, then dry it with a towel and send it to the terrarium.

Cleaning

The cage must be cleaned regularly. Remains of food, feces and skin when high temperature create ideal conditions for the development of dangerous bacteria, this can lead to infectious disease pet.

For wet cleaning, you can use special cleaning agents or baking soda. Chemicals should not contain chlorine or its traces, this can lead to dangerous diseases respiratory system iguanas

It is also necessary to periodically wash the terrarium lamps. When cleaning, it is recommended to transplant the animal to another place, and after cleaning its habitat, keep the cage empty for about 30 minutes.
The optimal period for cleaning is once a week. It is also important to change the water in the tank in a timely manner in order to avoid stagnation.

What does an iguana eat?

In their natural habitat, iguanas eat flowers and leaves of tropical plants. But, at home, the question of what the iguana eats is more than acute, since it will be difficult to create a rich diet for these animals in artificial conditions.

The optimal solution would be a diet consisting of maximum quantity and a selection of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Recommended foods for iguanas are turnips, parsley, grapes, sweet Green pepper, beans, dandelion, leeks, peas, radishes, pears, blackberries, etc. The main rule for healthy eating These huge lizards offer maximum diversity.
Food should be supplied to the maximum with all necessary nutrients, as well as vitamins and minerals, only in this case the pet will be healthy and active.

When feeding all iguanas, the following regimen should be strictly followed:

• up to 70% of the diet should consist of leafy plants, as well as a variety of vegetables;
• about 20% of total mass food should consist of fruits;
• Well, for a little variety, you can feed the animal with a complex of grains (up to 10% of the total diet).

Important! Due to the fact that the teeth of these lizards are small, and the jaw is weak and inactive, iguanas are unable to chew large and hard foods, so most food must be grated using a medium grater.

It is best to feed the lizard in the first half of the day, since evening feeding can negatively affect digestive system reptiles.

Food can be given by hand or using special feeders.
After a meal, leftover food must be removed, as at high temperatures they begin to decompose very quickly. From such food the animal can become poisoned and die.

Rules for handling animals

Iguanas are quite unusual reptiles in temperament, characterized by a calm and restive character, so the animal must be handled with care. You need to pick them up by the upper part in the forearm area.

You need to clasp the body so that the paws are pressed to the body, and with the other hand you need to press the hind legs. Many people advise using special gloves to protect yourself from the sharp claws of a reptile.
Under no circumstances should you pick up an animal by the tail, as it can throw it away, and while in young individuals the tail can grow back, in older individuals this process is impossible. You should not squeeze the animal, as this can lead to prolapse of the cloaca.

The reptile must be removed from the branches carefully and not torn off under any circumstances. You should not raise your voice, as the animal can hit you with its tail and even bite you. Do not hold the iguana in your hands against its own will, as this can harm the health of the reptile.

In this article, we looked at what iguanas eat and how to properly care for them at home. Despite all the difficulties, caring for this reptile is a simple process. If the listed secrets are followed correctly, the iguana will become the highlight of a living corner that will delight the owners and everyone around them.