How to Catch an Iguana
"Hurry, come and help us."
"What happened?"
"There's an animal."
"What animal? Where?"
We plunged headlong towards my sister-in-law's room. She stood by the foot of her bed staring at the night table in front of her.
"What is it?"
"It's an Iguana. A big one."
"Where is it?"
"Under the night table. Look, there's the tail."
It sure was. A loop of striped green and black tail extended from under the side of the night table. I figured about an 18-inch long beastie was hiding at the end of it. I reached down, grabbed the tail as close to the front as I could. Then I learned an important lesson.
If you want to catch an Iguana do not grab it by the tail.
The Green Iguana
The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana rhinolopha) has a habitat range from the southern regions of the USA south through most of Central and South America down to Brazil and Paraguay. They also inhabit many of the Caribbean Islands. Green Iguanas are easily identified by their green to dull brown colored body with a black and green or brown striped tail which extends roughly twice the length of its main body. There are spines along their back extending from the top of the head above the nose down to the length of the tail. Great climbers and fast runners, they have five long, slender toes on each foot with sharp, curved nails which can sink into wood and plastic or grip rough surfaces. If you are deeply scratched by one, heavy bleeding and an infection are almost imminent. Their short, sharp teeth can deliver a painful bite.
"Hurry, come and help us."
"What happened?"
"There's an animal."
"What animal? Where?"
We plunged headlong towards my sister-in-law's room. She stood by the foot of her bed staring at the night table in front of her.
"What is it?"
"It's an Iguana. A big one."
"Where is it?"
"Under the night table. Look, there's the tail."
It sure was. A loop of striped green and black tail extended from under the side of the night table. I figured about an 18-inch long beastie was hiding at the end of it. I reached down, grabbed the tail as close to the front as I could. Then I learned an important lesson.
If you want to catch an Iguana do not grab it by the tail.
The Green Iguana
The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana rhinolopha) has a habitat range from the southern regions of the USA south through most of Central and South America down to Brazil and Paraguay. They also inhabit many of the Caribbean Islands. Green Iguanas are easily identified by their green to dull brown colored body with a black and green or brown striped tail which extends roughly twice the length of its main body. There are spines along their back extending from the top of the head above the nose down to the length of the tail. Great climbers and fast runners, they have five long, slender toes on each foot with sharp, curved nails which can sink into wood and plastic or grip rough surfaces. If you are deeply scratched by one, heavy bleeding and an infection are almost imminent. Their short, sharp teeth can deliver a painful bite.