Ordinary iguana: description, photo, conditions of detention in captivity

Home pets are different: someone loves affectionate and graceful cats, someone likes the fidelity and faithfulness of dogs. Many like to watch for hours underwater inhabitants or listen to the voiced voices of birds. And lovers of exotics prefer a society of reptiles, one of which is our today's heroine - an ordinary green iguana.

Habitat

The species Iguana-iguana belongs to the genus The real Iguana iguanas. The birthplace of this large lizard is Mexico, from where the species spread and today is widely represented in the territory of South and Central America, he was brought to Florida.

The common iguana prefers to settle in the humid rainforests and dense thickets on the banks of rivers. This is an arboreal species of reptiles, and therefore they spend most of their life on trees.

Ordinary iguana: description

Today, this lizard is increasingly seen in domestic terrariums. Iguana ordinary (photo you can see in the article) - large animal. An adult reaches a length of 1.5 meters (with a tail), although quite often there are real giants - up to two meters or more. The size of the lizard depends on age and sex: males are much larger than females. What does an iguana look like? The photos published in various editions for naturalists demonstrate how diverse the representatives of this species are.

Some individuals have thickened dermal projections located on the upper part of the nose. They are small, hardly noticeable, and can reach huge sizes. Some lizards may have several such "horns". The diversity of the species also appears in the color of these lizards. Although they are called green, in fact they are not always those. Ordinary iguana can be painted in a variety of shades of green: from saturated to very light. Blurs of various shades of blue are allowed.

In nature there are also rare representatives of the species, with a color that differs from most animals of this species.

Brown iguanas

This is an ordinary iguana, the description of which in the manuals confirms that this lizard can have a yellowish brown, brown or cream color. Sometimes this shade may be unnatural, but caused by stress or an animal disease.

Blue lizards

Such an ordinary iguana comes from Peru. A saturated turquoise skin color distinguishes these lizards. Iris of eyes in such individuals is usually reddish-brown. Throughout the body, tail, in the folds of the skin are thin black strips.

Blue color can be and at absolutely young usual animals, but with the years he changes on green.

Red Morph

In nature, this color does not exist: it is obtained by artificial means. The iguana ordinary red morph gets such a skin color due to the peculiarities of nutrition. Animals are fed with pigmented natural fruits and vegetables - red bell pepper, for example, or pigmented artificially fish fodder (for parrot fish). Naturally, these products do not replace the basic diet, but are only an additive.

Do not be scared if the iguana ordinary at home will change color. These lizards change it during life, and this depends on their condition and conditions of detention. Young growth changes color during moulting, adult individuals can change color under the influence of temperatures: if the animal is cold, its color darkens, and in the heat it turns pale. Most males change their color several months before the mating season. On their body appear undulating bright orange bands near the chin, on the body and paws, on the thorns.

But if your pet's color turns dark gray, dark brown, yellow or black, you should contact a specialist to determine the reasons for this change, as in most cases this may be a sign of an animal's disease or unfavorable conditions of detention. With good care for this reptile, the life expectancy is an average of 12 years, although there are long-livers who live up to 18 years.

Lifestyle

Ordinary iguana is an animal that leads a daily life. It is active in the morning and in the evening (before sunset). At this time, in a natural environment, the lizard climbs into the trees, where it relishes with pleasure under the sun. This is necessary for reptiles to produce vitamin D and thermoregulation.

Ordinary iguana not only perfectly climbs trees, it is also a first-class swimmer. It is water that saves a lizard in case of danger. Under the conditions of keeping a green iguana, the owner will be surprised by the calm and accommodating nature of the unusual pet.

A young lizard can be tamed, taking her often in her arms: she quickly gets used to it and becomes manual.

Conditions of detention

To keep the iguana you need a terrarium of a vertical type. For a young animal, a small container, 45x45x60 cm in size, is suitable. But since this kind of lizards grows quite quickly, after half a year your pet will hardly fit in your house and its replacement will be required.

It would seem that you can immediately purchase a more spacious terrarium, but experts believe that in a smaller volume the young lizard feels more confident, more secure. In such circumstances, and tame it will be much easier.

For an adult, the terrarium should be spacious, so that the animal in it not only fully fit, but there was also room for the pool, which is vital for green iguanas. The minimum size for an adult is 80x70x120 cm.

Decoration of the terrarium

According to experienced owners, the best option for covering the floor of the terrarium is a rubber lawn mat. It will not only give a more attractive look, but also will keep the lizard's house clean: it does not have microorganisms that can damage your pet's health. Before placing such a rug, it should be washed and well ventilated so that the reptile does not irritate foreign smells.

It will take a spacious pool, because it is in the water that the defecation of the reptile takes place. For this reason, water must be cleaned and changed regularly. Lighting for a green iguana comfortable is considered a day of light not less than twelve hours long. Try to simulate diurnal rhythms. In this case, the reptile will feel more comfortable in captivity.

A prerequisite for home iguana maintenance is a fluorescent lamp with a UVB emitter. This simple device will help the lizard produce the vitamin D. In warm and sunny days, the terrarium can be taken out to the street so that the lizard enjoys natural sunlight. But at the same time, direct rays should not fall on it, as the glass will become very hot and change the microclimate of the terrarium.

Temperature

For a green iguana, a multilevel temperature regime is very important. This is due to the fact that reptiles are cold-blooded. The total temperature in the terrarium should not fall below +28 ° C, at the warm-up point this figure increases to +35 ° C, and at night it may drop to +20 ° C. The lamp at the heating point should be placed at a safe distance (20 cm) above the upper branch in the terrarium. The water temperature in the pool is not higher than +25 ° С.

Humidity

Like most tropical animals, iguanas need a humidity of at least 80%. To achieve this level, you can put in the pool aquarium heater (previously well insulated): it will maintain the necessary water temperature and create evaporation, which will help maintain moisture. In addition, it is necessary to spray the terrarium three times a day with warm water.

Feeding

A green iguana feeds on dandelion, clover, salad leaves, loves various fruits. The vegetables are cooler, although in many respects it depends on the taste preferences of your lizard. It is not recommended to give your exotic pet cabbage. It is advisable to add a sprouted mung bean, especially when the offspring are fattened, since it is rich in protein.

While the lizard is young, it can be pampered with insects (in small quantities). For this, crickets and zofobas are suitable. Salad, which is 70% of leafy greens, and the remaining 30% - is sliced vegetables and fruits, will be happy to eat your ordinary iguana. Nutrition in the life of this reptile is of great importance, but do not forget about vitamins: they should be given twice a week. Put a feeder in the terrarium with a crushed shell or egg shell: such a treat will become a source of calcium.

Common Iguana: Reproduction

Green iguanas reach puberty at the age of one and a half to three years. About that the matrimonial period is approaching, you will learn from the changed color. In males, the mating season lasts about a month, and the females last no more than ten days.

After mating, the female bred for two months, and then lays eggs. It is advisable to transplant females into a separate terrarium during this period. Masonry consists of 40 or more eggs. It is withdrawn and transferred to an incubator with a temperature of +32 ° C. After 90 days babies appear. During the period of bearing eggs the female needs a lot of calcium and protein food.