Green Iguana #1
by Winston D Munnings
Title
Green Iguana #1
Artist
Winston D Munnings
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
The other day my wife started shouting at me: “…Come quick, Come quick...” Given the uncommonly rare shrill in her voice, I had no idea what to expect, so naturally, I jumped up, sprinting to the patio where she was tending to her beloved Orchids. And THIS is what I saw in the back of our yard (outside the fence, thank God) strolling quietly near the lake out back as if it had no care whatsoever in the world.
For a brief moment there, I thought I was thrown back to the Jurassic period (which was a golden time for dinosaurs, incidentally) or dinosaur-like Tigums like this incredibly giant Iguana, the likes of which I’ve never seen before. It was about a 3 ½ to 4 feet long green male Iguana, although they tend to change to this orange-like pigmentation during certain times of the year. Certainly not this large.
I quickly grabbed my camera and shot about 100-150 frames of this astonishing, natural-looking phenomenon in Florida. Incidentally, Green iguanas are not native to Florida and are considered invasive species due to their impacts on native wildlife. Like all non-native reptile species, green iguanas are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property with landowner permission. Being the naturalist I am, I would not harm one of God’s own. I only want to preserve it in pictures to share with others.
Fascinating animal, though. After some research, I discovered this: “…Green iguanas (sometimes referred to as Chinese Iguanas) are giant, typically green lizards, though they can sometimes be brown or almost black. Hatchlings and young green Iguanas usually have bright green coloration. Some adults can take on an orange or pink coloration during certain times of the year.
Green iguanas have a row of spikes down the center of the neck, back, and upper portion of the tail and have dark black rings on the bottom. Mature male iguanas develop heavy jowls and a throat fan (or dewlap) much more prominent than female iguanas. More giant throat fans can make male iguanas appear bigger, repel rivals, or warn predators. Female iguanas may choose to breed with male iguanas that have larger dewlaps. The throat fan can also help iguanas regulate body temperature.
Male green iguanas can grow to over five feet in length and weigh up to 17 pounds. Females can also reach five feet in height but usually do not exceed seven pounds.
Females typically reach reproductive maturity at two to four years of age. Green iguanas typically mate in October through November in their native range, and nesting occurs on riverbanks, beaches, and other sandy areas. Females dig egg chambers that may contain nearly 80 feet of interconnected tunnels and multiple entrances and lay clutches of anywhere from 14-76 eggs. Green iguanas can live up to 10 years in the wild and 19 years in captivity….” (Source: Wikipedia)
Uploaded
December 19th, 2022
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