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Crocodiles and alligators aren't the only reptiles at the park as you'll see. Our green iguana (Iguana iguana) is definitely vegetarian! Native to Central and South America, iguanas are tropical, arboreal lizards that grow up to 6 feet long.Lean and Green Our male green iguana is captive bred here in Australia. A dominant male, he normally puts on quite a show as he asserts himself and defends his territory - bobbing his head furiously and extending the broad dewlap under his chin. If you visit the iguana in the morning, you'll be able to see him eating a variety of leaves, vegetables and fruits. In the afternoon, he spends most of his time just soaking up the rays of the sun. He needs to raise his body temperature so that his digestive system can break down his breakfast! Green issues Iguanas are very popular in the international pet trade, especially in the USA. Over one million babies are imported into the US each year. They are also an important food item for people in their native countries, where they are widespread and abundant. In some areas, where numbers are falling, local people are being given incentives to preserve the iguanas and their habitat. They are allowed to harvest limited numbers of iguanas and their eggs, as long as they preserve the habitat and allow the population to grow. This concept is called sustainable use of wildlife, and it is one of the conservation strategies that are sometimes required to prevent wildlife from disappearing. ![]()
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