5 facts about iguanas that many people don’t know

Iguanas are well known and generally appreciated among the human population. However, unless you’re a lizard lover or basically an iguana lover, there are a few things you might not know about these interesting creatures. Here are five facts about iguanas that you may not know.

1. Iguanas are herbivorous. This means that they do not eat meat but plants. Some sources cite that iguanas are omnivorous. However, iguanas should not eat animal products because their metabolisms are better adapted to absorbing plant proteins. Animal proteins are too multifaceted for iguanas, they will not be used correctly. Basically, the proteins that animals have cannot be absorbed by the iguanas’ bodies in search of nutrients.

What then happens to the proteins that are not absorbed? It turns into uric acid which is very dangerous for an iguana. When a buildup of uric acid occurs in the iguana, it becomes a taste. Animal proteins can be very difficult for an iguana’s digestive system to eliminate, putting a strain on the reptile’s kidneys. In turn, causing the reptile to have kidney complications. Feeding an iguana animal products will certainly shorten the lifespan of the iguana.

2. Iguanas are trainable. For those who think it would be nice to have iguanas but are quite stupid, you may be surprised to learn that iguanas are just as smart as a dog or even a cat. An iguana can be taught to do things just like humans. Some people have potty trained their pets, while others have trained their iguanas to do many tricks. If they get lost, some iguanas can find their way home.

This is just to show you that even reptiles can learn things, as long as their trainers take the time to teach them. People are often too quick to judge other animals because they are shorter than other animals.

3. Iguanas grow. Just because you bought your iguana’s cage to fit it doesn’t mean it will always fit in that cage. Some iguanas have grown up to six feet in length. This is especially true if the iguana has a loving habitat and an environment that will allow the iguana to grow more than adequately. When discussing iguana cage size, a person should always keep in mind how long the iguana can grow and plan accordingly to avoid future problems.

4. Iguanas are arboreal. What does this mean for its owner? Remember that iguanas in the wild spend a good deal of time in trees. To stimulate the growth of the iguana, the owner must also stimulate its habitat. Place some type of climbing material in the iguana’s home, although it is not necessary to place “real” trees to create the official effect. Something as simple as a post can make your iguana feel like it’s back in the wild, perched in the tree.

5. Iguanas Crave Sunlight: Like most things that grow, iguanas also need sunlight. Not only to have the light but also to absorb it. An iguana will use both UVA and UVB light to be able to absorb nutrients properly. The UVB light will trigger a chemical reaction in the reptile’s skin that will help produce vitamin D3. What does D3 do? Processes calcium within the bloodstream.

As you can see, taking care of an iguana is not an easy task. However, by learning more about them, you can be sure that your iguana will live a full and happy life.