| Desert Iguanas - An introduction | | | | The desert iguana eats plants and can thus be |
| Desert iguanas, also known by its binomial name, | | | | classified as a herbivorous animal. They feed on the |
| Dipsosaurus Dorsalis, is a lizard that inhabits arid areas | | | | various annual or perennial plants that can be found in |
| and deserts. | | | | their habitats. The leaves, buds and fruits of these |
| 1. Physical description | | | | plants provide its meals. They have a bias towards |
| The length of an adult iguana varies between 10 and | | | | the creosote plant as they are attracted to this |
| 16 inches. A distinguishing feature is its long tail which | | | | particular plants yellow flower. |
| is longer than the iguana's body. Its body is round and | | | | 4. Habits |
| large and is often referred to as blunt headed. The | | | | In a bid to find lower temperatures, the desert |
| desert iguana's color is easily distinguished. The desert | | | | iguana usually climbs bushes. This however, is only if |
| iguana's head is brown in color. A pattern of reddish | | | | the temperature is very high as they are very hardy |
| brown emerges thereafter on the iguana's body and | | | | and are often active during high temperatures. It is a |
| resembles a net. Furthermore, the iguana's trunk and | | | | very fast animal and when it needs to move fast, it |
| neck have gray spots. Additionally, their tails, which | | | | moves forward by pushing itself forward with its |
| are either white or gray, are covered in dark spots. | | | | rear legs whilst folding its front legs. They may be |
| The back is covered in dorsal scales that run down | | | | spotted crossing a road right before an approaching |
| the center. | | | | car. |
| 2. Habitat of Choice | | | | 5. Predators |
| The desert is home to the desert iguana, as can be | | | | The desert iguana is comparable to other animals as |
| inferred from its name. In the United States, the | | | | it has its own natural enemies. Iguana eggs are eaten |
| Mojave and Sonoran deserts in the southwest are | | | | by many animals. Several birds of prey hunt the |
| locations where desert iguanas are commonly found. | | | | iguana and as such are some of its natural enemies. |
| They can also be found on a few islands on the Gulf | | | | Other common predators of the iguana include foxes |
| of California and in Northwest Mexico. The desert | | | | and other small animals such as rats, weasels and |
| iguana also dwells in deciduous forests and some arid | | | | snakes. Man has also emerged as one of the iguanas' |
| subtropical areas in the Southern areas of its habitat. | | | | natural enemies. Vehicles driven carelessly by human |
| The creosote bush is of particular importance to the | | | | beings lead to the death of this animal and thereafter |
| desert iguana since it uses this plant for both food | | | | the latter are referred to as road kill. |
| and shelter. It is thus commonly found near where | | | | It is obvious that there is a lot of information that |
| these bushes grow. Lairs abandoned by kangaroo | | | | man needs to know about desert iguanas. There is a |
| rats also provide shelter to the desert iguanas. The | | | | lot more to this medium sized lizards and these |
| desert iguana is a tough creature and may be found | | | | information will help you stop seeing them as merely |
| to still be active when it is hot despite retreat by | | | | unintelligent and stupid creatures. Learning about |
| other lizards. The ground around creosote bushes is a | | | | these creatures will enable you enjoy their |
| common burrowing site for the iguana. | | | | magnificence. |
| 3. Diet | | | | |