Page 63 - World of Animals - Issue #41

Iguanas

The cells in an iguana’s
skin are crucial for helping
to manufacture vitamin
D3, which allows them to
extract calcium from their
food for bone development.
Depending on the species of
Iguanas the iguana, they can live very
long lives. While some only
are vegans live up to four years, others
While some iguanas might can survive for 60 years.
occasionally feast on small While the most common
insects, most iguanas are of the iguanas is the green
naturally vegans, feeding on iguana, there are in fact 35
plants, flowers and leaves different species, ranging
in the wild. In fact, iguanas from dry land iguanas to
are known to be at their water-based subspecies.
healthiest when consuming Green iguanas are able to
an all vegan diet. However, hold their breath under water
there are plenty of plants for up to 30 minutes, while
that iguanas should avoid marine iguanas can hold
eating a lot of due to their theirs for up to an incredible
low nutritional value, such 60 minutes at a time!
as lettuce. Cabbage leaves
and kale can also cause Some species of iguanas lay
serious health problems up to 65 eggs at one time,
such as goiter, which is an but only a few of those
abnormal enlargement of will survive as the mother
the thyroid gland. abandons the eggs after
laying them.
They’re quite mouthy
A newborn iguana has approximately 80 teeth.
As they get older their jawbone grows to
accommodate the 120 teeth they will have by
adulthood. Iguana’s teeth may be completely
replaced by a new set every few months.

Marine iguanas excrete saltwater
As marine iguanas feed underwater,
they end up swallowing a lot of
saltwater. So, once they are fed and
back on dry land, they sneeze, and
with the help of their salt-excreting
glands, release the build up of
saltwater in their bodies.

They can be Their tails can be a real
very speedy life-saver in a fight
Iguanas can be extremely Iguanas’ tails are a source of their power,
fast. The world record sprint used for climbing and for balance. But
speed for lizards is held iguanas also use their tail as a weapon
by the Costa Rican spiny- when fighting, thrashing it about to
tailed iguana, which can distract their predator. If they are caught, They can run using two legs
reach speeds up to 34.6kph they can detach their tails and make their All iguanas use four legs to get
(21.5mph). That’s no mean escape. However, if this doesn’t work, and about right? Wrong. Surprisingly, the
feat considering they the iguana is eaten, this appendage, which collared lizard, which resides in the
are the smallest iguana, is equipped with small spikes, makes them southwest of the US and Mexico, and
the basilisk lizard, which can also be
measuring just 12.5cm an unpleasant and unsatisfying meal. You found in Central America, can run © Thinkstock; FLPA
(4.9in) long. can guarantee an iguana will never go using only their two hind legs.
down without a fight!

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