15 Interesting Facts About Iguanas

Introduction:

Iguanas are amazing animals that have fascinated humans for centuries. Their bright colors, interesting behaviors, and fun personality have made them popular around the world. From their long claws to their powerful legs, we have a lot to learn about these animals. In this article, we’ll tell you 15 interesting facts about iguanas you probably didn’t know. These facts will give you insight into iguanas’ behavior and characteristics that make them special. Keep reading to learn more!

Fact 1: Iguanas Have Three Claws on Each Foot

Iguanas have three claws on each of their four feet. These claws help them climb trees and other surfaces with ease. They also help the iguanas dig and forage for food. These claws also have a tough, protective layering that helps the iguana move quickly across terrain without any slipping.

Fact 2: Iguanas Enjoy Warm Climates

Iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, and they must keep their body temperature at a certain level to ensure they can function properly. This means they’ll prefer to live in warm climates and enjoy the sunshine. This is why you’ll find plenty of iguanas in tropical regions.

Fact 3: Iguanas May Change Color

Iguanas are known for their gorgeous colors, but you might be surprised to learn that some iguanas are capable of changing color. Their skin will become brighter or darker depending on their mood, surroundings, and temperature. For example, they may appear green when they’re feeling relaxed but become a darker shade of green when they’re excited or threatened.

Fact 4: Iguanas Have Complex Social Lives

Iguanas are social animals who have complex social lives. They have different ways of communicating with each other and will usually form small groups. It’s possible that some iguanas have their own social hierarchies, which can help them figure out their place in the world.

Fact 5: Iguanas Can Glide Through the Air

Iguanas are capable of gliding through the air for short distances. They have special web-like membranes that are filled with fat cells that act as parachutes, enabling them to glide effortlessly. The gliding is usually in short bursts but can last for up to 15 meters.

Fact 6: Iguanas Have a Good Sense of Smell

Iguanas have an impressive sense of smell. This helps them find food, avoid predators, and protect their territory. They use their sense of smell to sniff out mates during mating season and even judge what foods they like or don’t like.

Fact 7: Iguanas Shed Their Skin Every Few Months

Iguanas shed their skin every few months. This is known as ecdysis. This process helps iguanas get rid of parasites and get a new layer of skin that is more waterproof and better equipped to protect them from the elements.

Fact 8: Iguanas Have Powerful Legs

Iguanas have incredibly powerful legs that are capable of jumping long distances. This helps them escape predators quickly, and they can even run up to 20 miles per hour. The iguanas’ powerful legs also help them climb trees and other surfaces with ease.

Fact 9: Iguanas Have Poor Eyesight

Although iguanas have excellent senses of smell and hearing, their eyesight isn’t as good. They’re mostly color blind, so they rely on their other senses to get around and make decisions. Because of this, they don’t respond well to bright colors and loud noises.

Fact 10: Iguanas Have a Long Lifespan

Iguanas can live for up to 20 years. Compared to other lizards, this is quite a long lifespan, so it’s important to make sure your iguana is well taken care of if you’re a pet owner.

Fact 11: Iguanas Have Special Nerves Around Their Jaw

Iguanas have special nerves surrounding their jaws that help them detect prey. This helps them determine if something is edible or not, which is important in the wild. These nerves also help them find food sources and evade predators.

Fact 12: Iguanas Have a Fake ‘Third Eye’

Iguanas have a fake ‘third eye’ called the parietal eye. This eye is capable or detecting changes in light levels, meaning that iguanas can detect threats even before they can see them. This makes them excellent predators, as they can detect danger better than other animals.

Fact 13: Iguanas Have a Scaly Tail

Iguanas have a scaly tail that helps them balance when they’re on surfaces such as branches. This tail is made up of scales that are arranged in an overlapping pattern and help the iguana grip surfaces to keep them from slipping.

Fact 14: Iguanas Can Swim and Dive

Iguanas are also capable of swimming and diving. While this isn’t a common activity for them, they can stay underwater for quite a long amount of time. This ability helps them find food in water sources, as well as escape predators.

Fact 15: Iguanas Make Great Pets

Iguanas make great pets, and with the proper care they can live a long and healthy life. They make unique and interesting animals to observe and interact with, and you’ll never be bored with an iguana around.

Conclusion

Iguanas have incredible features and behaviors that make them unique and interesting animals. From their powerful legs to their color-changing skin, these creatures have a lot to offer. The 15 facts contained in this article provide you with an in-depth look into iguanas’ lives, giving you the opportunity to appreciate and learn more about them.