8 Facts About Iguanas You Probably Didn’t Know

It’s not really rare to see iguanas in Guadeloupe. They live on beaches or in the wilderness. You might even catch one sneaking onto your terrasse. Iguanas do not appear to be shy. They don´t seem bothered at all while tanning alongside tourists. They resemble tiny dragons with their stretched reptile bodies occupied by a comb. I was curious about the characteristics of iguanas because I’d seen them a few times here. So, I decided to look up 8 facts about iguanas you probably didn´t know.

1 Iguanas have a third eye

Iguanas have a third eye known as the “parietal eye“. It sits on the iguana’s head. Unlike the two other eyes, the third eye looks more like a pale scale. It cannot distinguish shapes and colours but it can detect movement and light. As a result, it helps iguanas perceive predators from above, such as birds. They see their surroundings very precisely, thanks to their regular eyes, which can precipitate colour and movement as well. ¹ Although this might seem surprising it´s not uncommon for reptiles to have a parietal eye.

2 Iguanas can change the colour of their skin

Iguanas have the ability to change their skin colour. They have several atomic features that help them regulate their body temperature. Lower temperatures cause the lizard’s skin to darken, allowing more sunlight to be absorbed. In this manner, the iguanas skin can change from a lighter to a darker green, when they feel cold. In case an iguana wants to avoid heat, the colour of its skin lightens to reflect more sun rays. ¹

3 The female iguanas can build a sharing community

Female iguanas can cooperate in forming a community of sharing. When there aren’t enough nesting sites available, female iguanas share their nests. This is especially useful given their ability to lay dozens of eggs in three days. ¹

4 Iguanas can detach their tail

Like most lizards, iguanas can detach their tail. When they are attacked by a predator, they simply drop it and regrow it later. ¹ It’s a strong defense mechanism. There is no limit to how many times they can rebuild their tail, though the shape may differ from the previous tail. ²

5 In Florida, Iguanas are considered an invasive species

Iguanas originate from South America, Central America, and some Caribbean islands. Green iguanas, which are more welcome in their native countries, are considered an invasive species in Florida. Landowners are allowed to kill them because they frequently cause damage to their properties. ³

6 Iguanas do not like the cold

Although iguanas can survive in colder climates, they prefer to digest while sunbathing. This makes sense given their origin states, where it´s always sunny. ²

7 Iguanas are able to dive for up to 30 minutes without taking a breath

Iguanas are good swimmers. They can submerge for 30 minutes without taking a breath. ² This is quite impressive considering that humans can only hold their breath for one or two minutes on average. ⁴ Iguanas use this skill to escape predators. ¹

8 Iguanas occasionally say Hello to each other

Iguanas communicate by flapping their skin around their neck. They move it to draw attention to themselves or to imply dominance. Iguanas can also move their heads quickly in a nodding motion to inform other iguanas that they are in distress. ²

So, which of these facts surprised you the most?

References:

1. AMNH, 2017. Five Things to Know About Iguanas. Available at: https://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/news-posts/five-things-to-know-about-iguanas [20.11.2022].
2. Kingsley, E., 2022. 10 Incredible Iguana Facts. AZ animals. Available at: https://a-z-animals.com/blog/10-incredible-iguana-facts/ [20.11.2022].
3. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. s.a. Green Iguana. Available at: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/green-iguana/ [20.11.2022].
4. WebMD Editorial Contributors, 2021. Is It Safe to Hold Your Breath? Available at:  https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/is-it-safe-to-hold-your-breath [20.11.2022].