Iguanas | Fun Facts About Iguanas

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Iguanas are a large group of lizards which are mostly native to the Americas. While there is much debate in the scientific communities regarding how lizard species are related, most can agree that the lizard family includes true iguanas and their close relatives which are all herbivorous. Iguanas can be terrestrial, arboreal, or aquatic depending on the species and their habitat. While some iguanas spend most of their time in the trees or water, most iguanas have to come to land to lay their eggs. Iguanas come in a variety of sizes and colors, some even vary in color within the same species! Green iguanas are a large true iguana species which can be green, blue, red, or variations of each. These iguanas are primarily arboreal, spending a lot of time basking in the treetops. They are also exceptional swimmers and highly adaptable, which makes them a challenge when they are introduced to new areas. Green iguanas are an invasive species in the southeast where they have altered ecosystems through their expanding population.

While green iguanas are good swimmers, they have nothing on a marine iguana. This species lives in the Galapagos and feeds on algae which can be as deep as 65 feet. While they can escape into the ocean, these iguanas are being highly predated on by introduced cats, dogs, and rats which are destroying their populations. Another island species, the Bahamian rock iguana, inhabits the tropical islands in and around the Exuma, Bahamas and faces its own set of issues. These animals have lost much of their habitat to human expansion and the threat of feral animals, but one of their biggest threats is that of ecotourism. Rock iguanas are fed by tourboats who bring dozens of tourists to the remote beaches, which attracts them to the shore. This makes them easy picking for any poachers or people who may want to harm them! Iguanas are a huge and diverse group of reptiles which each face their own set of challenges.

This video is geared towards grades K-5. Happy learning!

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