| Iguanas are a well known and are generally well-liked | | | | things, provided their trainers take the time to teach |
| among the human population. However, unless you | | | | them. People often are too quick to judge other |
| are a lizard lover or basically a iguana lover, there are | | | | animals because they are lower than other animals. |
| some things you may not know about this interesting | | | | 3. Iguanas do grow. Just because you bought your |
| creatures. Listed below are five facts about iguanas | | | | iguana's cage to fit him does not mean, he will always |
| that you may not know. | | | | fit in that cage. Some iguanas have grown to six feet |
| 1. Iguanas are herbivores. This means they do not | | | | long. This is especially true if the iguana has a loving |
| eat meat but rather plants. Some sources cite that | | | | habitat and environment that will more than |
| iguanas are omnivores. Yet, iguanas should not eat | | | | adequately let the iguana grow. When debating the |
| animal product because their metabolism is better | | | | size of the iguana's cage, a person should always |
| adapted to absorbing the proteins of a plant. Animal | | | | keep in mind how long the iguana can grow for and |
| proteins are too multifaceted for iguanas, it won't be | | | | plan accordingly to avoid future issues. |
| used right. Basically, the proteins that animals have | | | | 4. Iguanas are arboreal. What does this mean for its |
| cannot be absorbed into the iguanas' bodies for | | | | owner. Remember that iguanas in the wild spend a |
| nutrients. | | | | good chunk of time in trees. To stimulate growth of |
| What, then, happens to the proteins not absorbed? | | | | the iguana, an owner should stimulate its habitat as |
| It turns into uric acid that is very dangerous for an | | | | well. Place some type of climbing material in the |
| iguana. When a build up for the uric acid happens in | | | | iguana's home although you do not need to place |
| the iguana, it turns into a gout. Animal proteins can be | | | | "real" trees to create the official effect. Just |
| very hard for iguana's digestive system to get rid of, | | | | something as simple as a post can let your iguana |
| putting pressure on the reptiles' kidneys. In turn, | | | | feel like they are back in the wild, perched on the |
| causing the reptile to have kidney complications. | | | | tree. |
| Feeding an iguana animal products will indeed shorten | | | | 5. Iguanas crave sunlight - Like most things that |
| the lifespan of the iguana. | | | | grow, iguanas need sunlight too. Not only to have the |
| 2. Iguanas Are Trainable. For those who think iguanas | | | | light but to also absorb it. An iguana will utilize UVA |
| would be nice to have but are pretty stupid, you | | | | and UVB light so they can absorb nutrients correctly. |
| might be surprised to learn that iguanas are just as | | | | The UVB light will trigger a chemical reaction in the |
| smart as a dog or even a cat. An iguana can be | | | | reptile's skin which will help make vitamin D3. What |
| taught to things like human beings. Some people have | | | | does D3 do? It processes the calcium within the |
| taught their pet to use the bathroom while others | | | | bloodstream. |
| have trained their iguanas to do many tricks. If lost, | | | | As you can see, care for an iguana is no easy feat. |
| some iguanas can find their way home. | | | | Yet, by learning more about them, you can assure |
| This is just to show you that even reptiles can learn | | | | your iguana will live a full and happy life. |