Iguana Facts & Worksheets

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The iguana is a genus of lizards belonging to the family of Iguanidae. Iguanas can be found in the hot and humid areas of Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The name “iguana” originated from the Taino name “iwana.”

See the fact file below for more information on the iguana or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Iguana worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Taxonomy

• An iguana’s body parts include: eyes, nostrils, mouth, jowls, dewlap, tympanum, thighs, legs, claws, and spines.
• Iguanas are 1.5 to 1.8 meters long, with their tails included.
• Iguanas have a so-called dewlap, which are the spines running from their backs to their tails.
• The dewlap is used to control their body temperature and as a sign of aggression.
• Iguanas have a small “third eye” on their heads which is a light sensor called the parietal eye.
• Iguanas have tiny scales at the back of their necks called tuberculate scales.
• Iguanas have a big round scale located on their cheeks called a subtympanic shield.
• Iguanas use their tails to hit their enemies. When they are in danger and need to escape, they separate their tails from their body.
• Iguanas have very sharp vision. They can see colors, shapes, shadows, and movements, even at a very far distance. This is an advantage for them in moving through crowded forests and when looking for food.
• Iguanas use visual signals when communicating with other iguanas.
• Iguanas have the ability to camouflage themselves and this protects them from predators.

Skull Morphology and Diet

• Iguanas are herbivores, meaning that they eat plants.
• Iguanas can process and digest plants because of their strong biting ability.
• Iguanas have tall and wide skulls, short snouts, and big bodies.
• The teeth of iguanas are acrodontal which means their teeth are located on top of their jaw bones.
• Their teeth are small and make a pointed V-shape which is perfect for holding and cutting the plants they eat

Ecology and Life History

• Iguanas play an important role in balancing the ecosystem.
• Iguanas are able to sense changes in the environment.
• Iguanas help in scattering seeds.
• Iguanas can serve as food for bigger predators such as owls, eagles, snakes, and hawks.
• Iguanas can also prevent overpopulation.
• Iguanas depend on the environment for heat and body chemistry.
• Iguanas use the sunlight from the environment around them for their metabolism.
• Iguanas need humid and warm areas to survive.

Reproduction

• Female iguanas build their nests for their eggs by digging a tunnel in the ground.
• They will lay 40 to 50 eggs around 45 days after mating, but not all of those eggs will survive.
• After laying the eggs, the female iguana will leave them to grow on their own.
• The eggs will undergo an incubation period of 8 to 10 weeks before they hatch.
• The hatching process takes 7 to 10 days.
• There is also a cracking and resting phase for the hatchlings, which will take 1 to 2 days.
• Once cracked completely, there is a yolk sac attached which provides nutrients to the hatchling.
• It takes two years for a baby iguana to become an adult.
• Male iguanas are ready to make babies once they become an adult while female iguanas will need another year or two to reserve calcium in their bodies.
• The lifespan of iguanas is up to 30 years.

Species

• The Grand Cayman iguana is a blue iguana and is the heaviest of all iguanas.
• Cuban rock iguanas are one of the easiest to tame. Their strong jaws can bite off a finger or toe in just one bite.
• Rhinoceros iguanas look like a real rhinoceros. They can be super fierce.
• Blizzard iguanas are the result of Axanthic and Albino iguanas being bred with each other.
• Galapagos land iguanas are called yellow iguanas. They look scary, but they are herbivores.

Other Facts

• Iguanas can remain alive after falling from as high as 40 to 50 feet – without injuries!
• Iguanas are very good swimmers. In fact, they can survive underwater for 28 minutes without breathing.
• They are called Green Iguanas, but some of them have different colors such as blue, orange, or purple.
• Iguanas are social creatures who like to be around each other. Male iguanas are territorial.
• Some iguanas, namely Turks and Caicos rock iguanas, can make themselves float on water.
• Young iguanas will eat the poop of adult iguanas so they can get the much needed bacteria that is useful for digestion.
• As pets, iguanas take their own lives when not taken care of properly by their owners.
• Iguanas love sunbathing. They are not very active when it comes to looking for food which results in them eating on the same place every day.
• “Bamboo Chicken” is a special food recipe made out of green iguanas. Their eggs can also be eaten and are sold at a high price when boiled in salt water.
• An iguana can grow as long as 6 feet and as heavy as 20 pounds when well taken care of as a pet. Though, half of their length is their tail.
• Female iguanas build their nests for their eggs by digging a tunnel in the ground.

Iguana Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about iguana across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Iguana worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the iguana which is a genus of lizards belonging to the family of Iguanidae. Iguanas can be found in the hot and humid areas of Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The name “iguana” originated from the Taino name “iwana.”

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

• Iguana Facts
• Iguana Parts
• Used For What
• Where To Find
• Word Hunt
• Species Match
• Eat or Not
• Iguana Online
• Missing Info
• Picture Search
• Iguana Adventures

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Link will appear as Iguana Facts & Worksheets: http://www.grabillautomotive.com - KidsKonnect, November 5, 2018