Photoblog | The Transformations of the Green Iguana

You can encounter them everywhere on Bonaire: the green iguana (Iguana iguana) or yuana in Papiamentu. In this photoblog, you will get to know everything about this versatile animal. For example, about the transformation that the iguana undergoes during its growth, the function of those enormous claws, the tail, and the behavior they exhibit.

Would you like to see the iguana with your own eyes? During our tours, we often encounter them!

The Transformations During Growth

The rainy season has just begun. Deep underground, in a nest tunnel dug by the mother iguana, up to 70 baby iguanas hatch from their eggs. They leave the tunnel together and quickly shoot up into the trees, where their apple-green bodies blend in completely with the leaves. By eating leaves and insects, the little dragons grow rapidly.

The young, fresh green iguanas look stunning. Their growth spurt ends when they fully transition to a plant-based diet. For the rest of their lives, iguanas grow relatively slowly. Like other lizards, green iguanas shed their skin regularly. After each shedding, the spines on its back become slightly larger. Over time, dark accents appear on their bodies, and their tail develops its distinctive rings.

After about three years, when they are nearly fully grown, their bright colors fade and iguanas take on a grayish-green hue. Unfortunately, only a small number make it to adulthood. Many young iguanas fall prey to birds or household pets, or become victims of traffic. But if they do survive, they can live up to 20 years. Adult iguanas can reach a length of over one meter (3 feet).

Iguanas mate during the dry season. After the dominant male attempts to court the female by nodding its head, he places his tail under hers, allowing their cloacas to meet. The male often bites the female’s neck during this process. Females not ready to mate quickly roll away from the male.

_{Text continues below…}

Head, Legs, and Tail

Igianas have a keen set of eyes on the sides of their head with which they carefully observe their surroundings. But that’s not all. On top of their head, iguanas possess a third (parietal) eye! Beneath one of the scales, there is a photosensory organ that allows the animal to perceive movement, light, and darkness. With this third eye, they can also detect potential threats coming from above.

Behind the corner of the mouth is an oval-shaped ear opening. How well iguanas can hear depends on their body temperature. If they are too hot or too cold, they hear high-pitched sounds less effectively. Below the ear opening is that typical circular scale called the subtympanic plate. The purpose of this scale is not known. Under the chin, there is loose skin. Iguanas shake this dewlap when they want to impress another member of their species or when they feel threatened. Dominant males have the largest dewlaps.

With its feet equipped with impressive claws, the iguana is well adapted for running, climbing, and digging. Its long tail helps it maintain balance—no luxury for an animal often found high up in the trees. At first glance, you might not expect it, but the iguana is also an excellent swimmer. They can stay underwater for up to an hour! While swimming, they use their long tail for propulsion. The tail also plays a role in both offense and defense. Iguanas can deliver powerful strikes with it, often aiming for the face. Like other lizards, they can shed their tail to escape danger, although iguanas lose this ability once they reach adulthood.

Behavior

As true leaf-eaters, iguanas are often found in trees. When threatened, they drop from great heights to the ground and sprint off on long legs to a self-dug tunnel or a crevice between rocks to take cover. These are also the kinds of places where they spend the night. Iguanas like to sleep in and only emerge once the sun is high in the sky. That way, these cold-blooded animals warm up faster and can start their day.

The speed at which iguanas flee varies greatly. Iguanas living near humans quickly become accustomed to them. In some places, iguanas even approach humans in the hope of being fed. However, in the eastern part of Bonaire and other remote areas, iguanas remain particularly shy. During our tours, we often see them darting away in blind panic as soon as we approach.

When You Encounter an Iguana

During your vacation in Bonaire, you have a great chance of spotting an iguana. They often allow close observation, but some caution is necessary as they are still wild animals. An iguana bite can quickly get infected, and you may also need to get a tetanus vaccination at the hospital. Therefore, it’s best not to feed the iguanas and instead admire them from a distance, so you can enjoy their presence safely for a longer time!

Feeding iguanas?

It’s not a good idea to feed wild iguanas, as it causes them to lose their natural fear of humans. That’s bad for both people and animals. Tame iguanas can become a nuisance, are more likely to be hit by traffic, and are easier prey for pets. And never let iguanas eat from your hand! They have razor-sharp teeth and can’t tell where the piece of cucumber ends and your finger begins!

A Photography Tour with HopiBonaire

The iguana is just one of the hundreds of subjects you can capture on Bonaire. Bonaire is indeed an incredibly photogenic island. That’s why we offer special excursions tailored for photography enthusiasts in our selection.

Every photography tour is customized for you. Each photographer has their own preferences after all. Rushing is something we never do at HopiBonaire, and especially not during a photography tour. We understand that capturing a great photo takes time. For more information, visit the page of our photography tour.

_{Text continues below…}

Not a photographer? Feel free to explore our extensive selection of our other tours.

Read More