Types Of Iguanas: Become Familiar With Them

Iguanas are part of the Iguanidae lizard family.  The most common characteristics that they possess include four rambling legs, eyelids and elongated tails.  Like a majority of reptiles, iguanas of all types are cold blooded.  They are capable of living as long as 20 years.  

Iguanas can naturally be found in Central and South America and Mexico.  Some can also be found in California, Florida, Hawaii and the Lesser Antilles Islands.

A majority of iguana types are arboreal and live in trees.  However, there are other types that inhabit rocky terrains and deserts.  There are even marine iguanas that live close to sea side caves.

The Iguanidae family basically has eight kinds of iguanas.  These include the genera Brachylophus, Sauromalus, Dipsosaurus, Ctenosauria, Conolophus,  Amblyrhyncus and Cyrclura.

The Genus Cyrclura, which is commonly referred to as rock iguana, is found in most areas of the Caribbean Islands.  This type of iguana is protected as an endangered species, which means they are rarely traded or sold.  However, if you do ever find one inside a pet store, they are mainly bred in captivity.

The Genus Amblyrhyncus is called the Galapagos Marine Iguana or marine iguanas.  This type of iguana is the hardest to keep in confinement due to the fact that they feed on Marine Algae, which is a diet that is nearly impossible to produce on a commercial basis.

The Genus Conolophus is the marine iguana's closest relative.  This kind of iguana is referred to as the Galapagos Land Iguana.  Their diet mainly consists of cactus and plants.

The Genus Ctenosauria is usually referred to as the spiny tailed igauana.  They are native to Central America and Mexico.  Compared to other types of iguanas, they are small and grow just 5 inches up to a maximum of 35 inches.

This animal's most outstanding feature is the large scales that are on its tail.  This type of iguana is classified as an omnivore.  It basically feeds on small flowers in addition to flowers and fruits.
 
The Genus Dipsosaurus is comprised of the desert iguanas in Mexico and South America.  This type of iguana has an apex of expanded and elevated scales on the back and is full-bodied.

These iguanas have striped colored tails, have white dot spots and also white colored bellies.  They may grow to a length of 15 inches.  Their tails are twice as long as their bodies are.

The Genus Sauromalus is called the Chuckwalla.  It is a very robust herbaceous iguana that is found in Mexico and the United States.  This type of iguana is a strict vegetarian.  It eats only flowers, leaves and fruits.

Chuckwallas have loose skin hanging from their fat bodies.  They love the hot weather and don't really move around during the day until the temperature has reached one hundred degrees.  

To stand the extra heat these iguanas either hide themselves in the shade or change colors so that their bodies are able to reflect the heat from the sun.  Chuckwallas do well in captivity as pets since they don't move around very much.

Finally the Genus Brachylophus, which is also called the Fijian banded Iguana is found in Tonga and on the island of Fiji.

Today, iguanas are considered to be an endangered species.  Any kinds of iguanas that are possessed illegally is punishable by law.  So if you want to get an iguana to keep as a pet, be sure to first legally register it and consult with an veterinarian for guidelines on how to adopt and care for an iguana.