One of Playa Zancudos "Dragons" are the Iguanas that are here on the beach in great numbers. Like squirrels back in the States or Canada, these guys seem to be everywhere !!!
There are a few different types in our area. The largest here on the beach is a very rich green color with a striped tail and growing up to 3 to 5 feet in length.
These guys are by no means dangerous and are a delight to watch scrambling around looking for fruit, veggies or flowers for the next healthy meal of the day.
Their natural range is from Southern Mexico down to central Brazil and out into the Caribbean. They are also found on some Polynesian islands such as Fiji and Tonga. They have also been introduces to places like Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida,
Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well.
Iguana can range from 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) including their tail. The two species of lizard within the genus Iguana possess a dewlap, a row of spines running down their backs to their tails, and a third "eye" on their heads. This eye is known as the parietal eye, visible as a pale scale on the top of the head. Behind their necks are small scales which resemble spokes, known as tuberculate scales. These scales may be a variety of colors and are not always visible from close distances. They have a large round scale on their cheeks known as a sub tympanic shield.
Iguanas have great vision and can see shapes, shadows, colors, and movement
at long distances. Iguanas use their eyes to navigate through crowded forests,
as well as for finding food. They use visual signals to communicate with other
members of the same species.
The tympanum, the iguana's ear drum, is located above the subtympanic shield and behind the eye. Iguanas are often hard to spot, as they tend to blend into their surroundings. Their scale colors are a mode of hiding from larger predators.
Come on down and check them out !!
Pura Vida from the Playa !! ;)
There are a few different types in our area. The largest here on the beach is a very rich green color with a striped tail and growing up to 3 to 5 feet in length.
These guys are by no means dangerous and are a delight to watch scrambling around looking for fruit, veggies or flowers for the next healthy meal of the day.
Their natural range is from Southern Mexico down to central Brazil and out into the Caribbean. They are also found on some Polynesian islands such as Fiji and Tonga. They have also been introduces to places like Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida,
Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well.
Iguana can range from 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) including their tail. The two species of lizard within the genus Iguana possess a dewlap, a row of spines running down their backs to their tails, and a third "eye" on their heads. This eye is known as the parietal eye, visible as a pale scale on the top of the head. Behind their necks are small scales which resemble spokes, known as tuberculate scales. These scales may be a variety of colors and are not always visible from close distances. They have a large round scale on their cheeks known as a sub tympanic shield.
Iguanas have great vision and can see shapes, shadows, colors, and movement
at long distances. Iguanas use their eyes to navigate through crowded forests,
as well as for finding food. They use visual signals to communicate with other
members of the same species.
The tympanum, the iguana's ear drum, is located above the subtympanic shield and behind the eye. Iguanas are often hard to spot, as they tend to blend into their surroundings. Their scale colors are a mode of hiding from larger predators.
Come on down and check them out !!
Pura Vida from the Playa !! ;)
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