{"id":348,"date":"2018-10-27T16:09:29","date_gmt":"2018-10-27T16:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reptilefollower.com\/?p=348"},"modified":"2019-09-26T18:55:05","modified_gmt":"2019-09-26T18:55:05","slug":"what-are-the-predators-of-an-iguana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reptilefollower.com\/what-are-the-predators-of-an-iguana\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the Predators of an Iguana?"},"content":{"rendered":"
As an Iguana fan, I have been researching these lizards.<\/span>Understanding their predators as well as other interesting facts that may help you before taking on one of these as a pet.<\/span><\/span>But let’s answer your question first.<\/span><\/p>\n What are the Predators of an Iguana?<\/span>The natural predators of iguanas are predatory birds.<\/span> In particular, eagles, owls, herons, egrets, and hawks.<\/span><\/span> As well as foxes and snakes of all kinds.<\/span> In more urban and domesticated areas, iguanas also have to worry about rats, cats, and dogs.<\/span><\/span> Marine iguanas also have large fish to fear.<\/span> Like many animals, iguanas are most vulnerable to predators when they are young or newly hatched.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n There are certain detrimental affects these predators have.<\/span>And in some cases these affects can be quite a big.<\/span><\/span>Next I will explain these affects and how to care for one of the most popular lizards in case you want to make one your pet.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the years, certain species of iguanas have been displaced by humans and preyed upon by predators so much that they have become endangered animals.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, Caribbean rock iguanas are now the most endangered group of lizards in the world because humans destroyed their habitat, run them over with their cars, and introduced exotic species of cats that prey upon the iguanas.<\/span><\/p>\n Many zoos now have breeding programs to help preserve iguanas of all kinds.<\/span><\/p>\n Interested to know which iguana is the most popular?<\/span>Green iguanas are not only one of the most popular iguanas, they are actually one of America\u2019s most popular pets.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Iguanas are ranked as the ninth most popular pet in the United States.<\/span>The article goes on to explain some of the reasons why iguanas make such great pets.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n They are great for lazy people.<\/span><\/p>\n Iguanas don\u2019t have to be taken out for walks every day or brushed to keep mats out of their fur.<\/span><\/span>Nope.<\/span>As long as they are in a proper habitat, kept warm, and fed well, iguanas are pretty laid back animals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n They are also popular pets because they live for several years.<\/span>If you’re like me, one of the only things that you hate about having pets is that one day they are going to die.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It breaks my heart to lose a pet, and I often avoid adopting a new pet for fear of losing it.<\/span>Iguanas, though, are very long-lived animals, which makes them less of a heartbreak risk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Green iguanas are popular in other areas of our culture as well.<\/span>People wear green iguanas on their t-shirts and swimming trunks; they drink green iguana margaritas; and they even decorate their bars or restaurants with pictures of them, sometimes wearing floppy hats.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Even though they are not native to North America, the green iguana has become a pretty common sight in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n The green iguana\u2019s scientific name is easy to remember and also quite fun to say!<\/span>Green iguanas are known as<\/span><\/span>Iguana iguana<\/span><\/strong><\/em>to the scientific community.<\/span><\/span>No, that is not a double word typo on my part.<\/span>Its scientific name is actually<\/span><\/span>Iguana iguana<\/span><\/em>. Pretty simple, huh?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Because they are one of the most popular pets in the United States, green iguanas are now also known by the names \u2018common green iguana\u2019 and \u2018American iguana.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n People in the reptile community use these names interchangeably, so when you start looking for more information about green iguanas, don\u2019t discount sites that use the terms American iguana or common green iguana.<\/span>They are all talking about the same adorable iguana.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Green iguanas are native to both South America and Central America.<\/span>They can also be found on many islands, including Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao, St.<\/span><\/span>Lucia, and others.<\/span><\/p>\n Green iguanas can also be found in Florida, Hawaii, and Texas, but they were brought to those places by humans and never naturally inhabited those areas.<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Iguanas thrive on sunlight and love basking in the sun, so in their natural habitats, they tend to live high up in the canopy of trees.<\/span>Juveniles, too, live in the canopy, though they are generally found a bit lower than mature iguanas.<\/span><\/span>They move higher as they age.<\/span><\/p>\n They prefer forested habitats, but they can survive in the more open areas as well.<\/span>They can often be found near large bodies of water, as they are excellent swimmers and enjoy taking a dip to cool off just as humans do.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When they first hatch, baby green iguanas are usually between six to nine inches long (17 to 25 centimeters) and weigh less than an ounce (approximately 12 grams).<\/span><\/p>\n However, within three years, that same iguana can grow to weigh over two pounds (1 kilogram).<\/span>Upon reaching full height, green iguanas are the largest (in length) of all iguanas, growing between five and seven feet long (1.<\/span><\/span>5 to 2 meters) and can reach weights of nearly twenty pounds (9 kilograms)!<\/span><\/p>\n In captivity, it is more likely, however, that your iguana will grow between four and six feet long and weigh closer to eight to thirteen pounds.<\/span>As with most species, males will usually grow to be larger than females.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In the wild, iguanas tend to live for about eight years; however, in captivity, a green iguana who is well taken care of can potentially live much longer.<\/span><\/p>\n With a carefully maintained habitat and the right diet, captive iguanas can live up to twenty years!<\/span>On average, however, captive iguanas tend to live between ten and twelve years, with the females generally living longer than the males.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Other than feeding your iguana a balanced and healthy diet, the most important thing you can do for your pet is to make sure he or she is living in a clean, healthy, and well-maintained habitat.<\/span><\/p>\n Creating the perfect habitat for your new iguana is probably the most daunting part of green iguana ownership, but do not let that scare you away!<\/span>You can do it!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Just make sure you do your research before deciding what will work best for your new pet.<\/span>The following are some of the most important things to remember when setting up your iguana\u2019s new habitat:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I know!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Maintaining a healthy habitat for your new pet sounds like a lot of work, but it isn\u2019t nearly as stressful as you think.<\/span><\/p>\n The Green Iguana Society has a great guide specifically to help new owners with setting up their habitats.<\/span><\/p>\n Hatchlings and young iguanas will most definitely benefit from a hide box or two in their enclosures.<\/span>Young iguanas need to feel safe and that there is a space for them to go and be undisturbed.<\/span><\/span>Hide-a-logs are great for small iguanas, but there are many different types of hiding boxes you can choose to use.<\/span><\/p>\n As iguanas grow larger and older, they have less need of hide boxes, but they still occasionally need some place where they can get away and feel like they are alone and hidden, especially if their enclosure is in a busy spot in your home.<\/span><\/p>\n However, finding hide boxes that fit a fully grown iguana can be problematic.<\/span>You may have to make something of your own, or you can use certain types of foliage to create hidden spaces for your iguana to enjoy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Just be sure to double check that the plant you are using is not toxic to reptiles, specifically iguanas.<\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Again, refer to the habitat guide from the Green Iguana Society if you have any questions or doubts about what type of substrate to use with your iguana.<\/span>Some things that you never want to use are wood chips, dirt, or sand.<\/span><\/span>These items can be easily picked up by a flicking iguana tongue, and if they are swallowed, they can be very damaging to your iguana\u2019s digestive tract.<\/span><\/p>\n Some recommendations for good substrates are old newspapers with non-toxic ink, plain butcher paper, paper towels, or pieces of indoor\/outdoor carpet.<\/span>However, if you do use carpet, please take all precautions against it unraveling, as this can lead to problems with your new iguana.<\/span><\/span>Change your iguana enclosure\u2019s substrate regularly, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n I touched on lighting and heating already in the section about creating the perfect habitat, but it is important, so I wanted to mention it once more.<\/span><\/p>\n As I mentioned before, basking areas should be between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and ambient temperatures in the air of the habitat should be no lower than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/span><\/p>\n Daytime heat can be achieved with incandescent light bulbs.<\/span>Nighttime heat can be provided with CHE\u2019s (Ceramic Heat Emitters) which provide only heat with no light.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Hot rocks are not recommended for use with iguanas because they can become too hot and burn your pet.<\/span><\/p>\n Iguanas also need a steady source of UV light to thrive.<\/span>There are two types of UV light \u2013 UVA and UVB.<\/span><\/span>UVA light can easily be achieved by giving your iguana exposure to natural light coming through windows or even your regular ceiling lights.<\/span><\/p>\n UVB light, though, is a little more difficult; however, it can be achieved by the use of UV bulbs shining into your iguana\u2019s enclosure.<\/span>Natural, unfiltered sunlight is a great source of UVB light, as well.<\/span><\/span>Feel free to take your iguana out into the sun every now and then!<\/span>Also consider building an outdoor sunning cage for your pet if your budget allows it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Iguanas do not drink a lot of water; however, this does not mean that they do not need access to fresh water.<\/span>On the contrary, you should provide several pools or bowls of fresh water for your iguana.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Even though he will get most of his water needs fulfilled through his food, he may need a little drink every now and then.<\/span>Even more importantly, having many sources of fresh water located inside your iguana\u2019s enclosure will help keep it at the right humidity for your iguana.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Be sure to change the water out daily and wash the bowls thoroughly before replacing them in the habitat.<\/span><\/p>\n Various items in your iguana\u2019s habitat will need to be cleaned daily, such as their food and water bowls.<\/span>In addition, you need to remove any food or other types of waste that you see in the enclosure each day or even more often.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The substrate used for your iguana\u2019s habitat should be changed out weekly, and any broken branches or anything else that could harm your iguana should be removed immediately upon seeing them.<\/span><\/p>\n As I mentioned already, dehydration is a common ailment of iguanas, but it can easily be avoided by remembering to keep plenty of pools of fresh, clean water in your pet\u2019s enclosure.<\/span>Predator Affects<\/span><\/h2>\n
Iguana Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is the Green Iguana\u2019s Scientific Name?<\/span><\/h3>\n
What Other Names Do They Have?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Where is Their Natural Habitat?<\/span><\/h3>\n
How Big is a Green Iguana?<\/span><\/h3>\n
What is the Lifespan of a Green Iguana?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Caring For A Green Iguana<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Will They Benefit from a Hide Box?<\/span><\/h3>\n
What is the Ideal Substrate for Them?<\/span><\/h3>\n
What Lighting and Heating do They Need?<\/span><\/h3>\n
What are Their Water Requirements?<\/span><\/h3>\n
How Often Should You Clean Out Their Housing?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Are There Any Known Health Conditions Iguanas May Suffer From?<\/span><\/h3>\n