Fauna
Iguana Insights by Susan Campbell
Those prehistoric-looking creatures you see scurrying, sauntering, sunbathing and even scavenging for treats here are green iguanas, the only species of iguana found on Aruba. Here’s the inside scoop on what makes these likeable lizards tick.
Still called yuana in Papiamento from the original Caiquetio Indian name – green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are fairly abundant all over the island. These dinosaurish reptiles are attracted to the very green surroundings typical of hotel landscaping, so you are bound to run into one sooner or later. Though iguanas originated in the rain forests of Central and South America, Aruba’s iguanas have adapted to the less than lush environment and act more like ground lizards than tree-dwelling ones. According to Gerard van Buurt, author of the book Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, iguanas were here before humans. He says, “The iguanas living on Aruba differ from those on the mainland; they are already adapted to life on semiarid 40 Nights
islands. These adaptations concern differences in behavior, size, size of the eggs and clutch size. The timing of the reproductive cycle is geared to the normal pattern of rainfall. It seems unlikely that such adaptations could have developed in a time span of only 4,000 to 5,000 years or less. It is thus more likely that the green iguana has been present on these islands for quite a long time and that it reached these islands on its own.” Aruban iguanas sleep in candelabra cacti and in cave nooks. In populated areas, they find secluded spots on rooftops. They sleep all night, then recharge in the sun’s rays (being cold-blooded they need to adjust their body temperature) and once sufficiently warmed, they forage for food. Their eyesight, hearing and
sense of smell are excellent and they also use their tongues to better identify objects. Green iguanas are not always “green”. Like chameleons, they can change colors (though not as dramatically and quickly) to become camouflaged. Aruban iguanas can grow to approximately three feet in length and, under ideal conditions, can live as long as 20 years. e
Fauna
Survival skills
Breeding behavior
When it comes to self-defense, iguanas have many tricks. They can run surprisingly fast and are excellent swimmers. In fact, if threatened, they can leap from great heights into the ocean where they can stay underwater for up to an hour. Iguanas use their tails as whips with uncanny accuracy and can even discharge parts of their tail if grabbed, but it never grows back as long. Their teeth are tiny, yet razor sharp and their finger-like toes have very sharp claws for tree climbing and self-defense. They also have a third “eye”, or sensor, on top of their heads to alert them to predators coming from above.
Breeding season is in March and April. During this time, males puff up the flabby skin beard called a dewlap in order to appear larger and impress females. They also become agitated and do a comical sideways, crab-like dance. This bizarre display includes frantic head bobbing, tail wagging and a gaping ready-to-snap mouth, and the entire show is designed to scare off any competitors. As for the females, they bear eggs whether they have mated or not, burying them in deep holes dug in the dirt. Iguanas aren’t very protective parents, however, as the hatchlings are left to fend for themselves.
Iguana etiquette
There is an unwritten law here that gives iguanas the right-of-way on the roads, but unfortunately, it’s not always observed. Though iguanas can become very tame, it is best to resist the urge to feed them by hand, and signs asking you to please not feed them are there for the iguana’s benefit as well as your own. They can’t always discern the difference between food and fingers and, like all reptiles, can carry salmonella bacteria. Also, iguanas are designed to be strictly vegetarian, so a steady diet of leftover fries or bread is bad for their systems, even though they will often eat whatever is offered. If you really want to impress an iguana, throw it some hibiscus blooms, they are healthy and much appreciated treats. And you might just be rewarded with a happy iguana smile! m 42 Nights