Iguanas are poisonous: how to live next to a dangerous "neighbor"?

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Iguanas are poisonous: how to live next to a dangerous "neighbor"?
Iguanas are poisonous: how to live next to a dangerous "neighbor"?

Video: Iguanas are poisonous: how to live next to a dangerous "neighbor"?

Video: Iguanas are poisonous: how to live next to a dangerous
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What exotic lovers can't come up with! Some arrange tropics in apartments, growing orchids on the windowsill. Many breed bright tropical fish in aquariums, among which there are quite dangerous specimens. Extreme seekers settle next to them predators, such as bears or tigers. And many lovers of exotic animals dream of having a lizard at home, preferably a large and dangerous one.

iguanas are poisonous
iguanas are poisonous

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of people who have been injured or bitten by an iguana, a large tree lizard that normally lives in Mexico, Central America, Brazil and even Hawaii, has become more frequent in medical institutions. And today he is gradually moving to our apartments. Bites and scratches made by this animal are dangerous enough, because iguanas are poisonous. It is assumed that annually about 15 thousand young individuals fall into the hands of domestic amateurs. How can you coexist with such a dangerous "neighbor" if she still won her living space next to you?

Descendants of ancient lizards

Palaeontological finds suggest that lizards appeared long ago. Today, there are more than 4,000 species on earth, which are united in 20 families, including iguanas. They have spread throughout the globe, except for the cold zones. In most cases, lizards live on the surface of the earth, sometimes they burrow into the sand or climb trees. Some reptiles live in the soil, others live near the surf line. There are individuals leading a daytime lifestyle, and some move, hunt and feed only at night. Insects and their larvae, arachnids, molluscs and worms, sometimes small vertebrates are the main food of lizards.

terrarium for iguana
terrarium for iguana

Who is this poisonous neighbor?

The poisonous green iguana, which is most often found in terrariums of animal lovers, in nature usually lives in virgin deciduous forests. She especially likes to settle on trees that grow near the water, because in case of danger she can jump into the river at any time.

Adult iguana is very large, it can weigh up to 5 kg and grow up to two meters, with its powerful tail making up half of its length. Short powerful legs with sharp claws help them to climb trees, and the tail is used for swimming and protection.

Males are much larger than females and have more massive forms and bright colors. Juveniles are bright green in color, which helps themperfectly camouflaged in the foliage of trees. Usually they do not change color, but some areas of the skin, depending on temperature, light, food, stress, degree of aggression or various diseases, change color over a wide range: from light to dark shades.

Containment conditions

Because iguanas are venomous, they are kept in terrariums in captivity. This, of course, is to some extent reflected in the appearance of the reptile. The length of the body can also be different, because it is also related to the conditions of detention.

What should be the terrarium for an iguana? Since it is a climbing animal, height is more important to it than area. But the terrarium should still be spacious, with lots of branches and shelters. After all, the iguana must move freely, climb, hide. Having acquired a small animal, it is not necessary to immediately purchase a large terrarium for him, one for life. Small iguanas differ from adults in size, temperament and behavior, so as the animal grows, its living conditions should change.

poisonous iguana
poisonous iguana

Of course, adults should take care of the pet, as iguanas are poisonous. The terrarium is selected so that it can be easily maintained, maintain a constant temperature in it, and install a pool with warm water. In the upper tier, you can fix artificial or live, but not poisonous plants. Pay close attention to humidity, lighting, ventilation, extra UV exposure, and feeding.

If a baby iguana has settled in the house, then during the adaptation period it is necessaryput her in a quiet corner: during this period she needs peace. Although iguanas are poisonous, a tamed animal can be safely released from the terrarium. During the walk, it is necessary to ensure its safety: remove children, cats and dogs away, try to ensure that the reptile walks only under supervision. Otherwise, she may be frightened or fall from a great height, such as a landing or balcony.

Iguana is one of the most interesting animals. If she begins to trust people and be friends with them, then you can learn a lot of interesting things about her. What? We'll tell you another time.

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