IG and Uana

By ANI...on assignment from Wild Writings Press...Planet Earth

I've been to Yukatan a couple times (each of 2 years when adjoining friend Eleanor), who'd winter there escaping Oakville's harsh weather. Said she, “We'll fly into Merida (Where's that? I asked.).

“'Tis the capital city of Yukatan, near a million population ~ very metropolitan...30 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. And there on the coast is Progreso, a bustling Mayan port town. Most speak the Mayan tongue...some speak Spanish...and a few can English-ize.” With dictionary in hand, we struggled in Spanish. And there we met ANI, our English-speaking journalist.

Each day we'd walk into town ~ or take a local van;

and at the beach bar, there we met IG

who recommended lunch and chilled Corona beer.

(and since that day ~ Corona's been my favourite).

Our home 'on the Gulf' had 2 swaying palm trees,

a long sandy beach with view of Gulf waters ~ and ocean going ships.

At end of 'his day' Ig brought us sunhats and told of his race.

He was born Mayan, who as a child, loved Iguanas

so 'Iggie' (his Papa nicknamed him.

Our specie of Lizards is Iguana dwelling in Mexico's Yukatan.

They thrive in tropical, sub-tropical forests, in deserts and coastlines.

Spending most of their time in the canopy of trees,

they descend to mate and lay eggs ~ then probably change trees.

Primarily as 'herbivores', their daily activity

is feeding on leaves, flowers and fruits.

They live near the water 'cause they're excellent swimmers.

The Green Iguana, lengthen 5 to 7 feet (from nose to tail); they have strong jaws with very sharp teeth.

Tails are long ('bout half of body length) and being very sharp ~ used for 'defence' to punch any enemy!

Reproduction

(as reported by ANI in her journalist assignment)

Iguanas tend to breed in dry season, ensuring that the young hatch in wet season when food is more readily available. In 'courtship' more than one female may be present. Courtship behaviour of males includes head-bobbing...extending and retraction of the 'dewlap'...and nuzzling or biting of the female's neck. “Dominate Males' may mark rocks, branches and chosen females with a waxy substance secreted from their femoral pores. During mating, the male approaches the female and climbs on her back, straddling her. To restrain his mate, he grips her shoulder skin with his teeth.

Coplulation may last for several minutes.

“About 65 days after mating, a female is ready to lay her eggs. Over a 3-day period, an average of 10 to 30 leathery white or pale-cream coloured eggs are deposited into a nest ~ which is located about a metre deep and may be shared by other females if nesting areas are limited. After laying the eggs, females may return to the nest several times ~ but do not stay to guard it.

“Incubation lasts 90 to 120 days. The hatchlings 'pip the egg open with a special tooth' that falls off shortly after the hatching. The absorbed yolk provides nourishment for the first week or two of an Iguana's life. After the eggs are hatched, there is no direct 'parent investment' in the young.

“The diet of the Iguanas,” as reported by ANI, “is related to age.

The young consume insects and eggs.”

ANI further states that Iguanas can live for more than 20 years in captivity;

although those 'in the wild' live only 8 years.

Behaviour ~ as observed by ANI:

“In the wild, most disputes among Iguanas

take place over 'basking sites.'

Usually, adequate food ~ but 'good perches' are limited.

During breeding season, males become 'terratorial'.

They will bite at each other ~ yet, injuries in the wild are rare

as ample space, there is, for males to retreat when threatened.

Injuries in captivity are more common.

Females display some of these behaviours when nesting sites are limited.

IG, unhappy with mate, UANA, related to ANI: She doesn't wannna eat that food..she doesn't wanna go there...wants cosmetics for her sensitive skin...wanna a different nest...doesn't wanna attend another 'gathering'! So, now, ANI ~ her name no longer is AUNA : I call her WANNA!

“Green Iguanas may travel considerable distances.

Females migrate to the same nesting site for several years, then travel back to their home territory. Once their eggs hatch, the hatchlings may disperse over long distances.

Colour, Habitat and Predators

“Although called 'green iguanas' these animals are variable in colour, The young may appear more blotchy or banded between green and brown. In the morning, when body temperature is low, skin colour will be darker helping the lizard/iguana to absorb heat from sunlight. As hot-mid-day sun radiates, their skin becomes paler, helping to reflect the sun rays ~ minimizing the heat absorbed.

Iguanas prefer to bask in tree limbs that over-hang water ~

so when threatend by a predator ~ they can dive into the water

and swiftly swim away.

Hawks and large birds are potential predators of juvenile aguanas. Humans eat both iguanas and their eggs. Humans also use these reptiles for crocodile bait and poach them for the pet trade.

Travelling With ANI:

Arranging with a taxi and driver who understood bit o' English, ANI had suggested tours to view Mayan country, wild life and historic places. The SPEED HUMPS on roads were the biggest we'd seen...so' slow-down' and 'slow-over' were absolute MUSTS! Along Yucatan's west coast was a scenic cove where sea-going birds often landed. How marvellous their wings and air speed! Along the coast at Celestun, were hosts and hosts of pink flamingos! And parrots, brilliantly coated, a pleasure to see.

Discoveries in recent years have unearthed several years of civilizations...one of great interest was the famed Chichen Itza encompassing a massive pyramid with 'ball court' and stone temples. Climbing the many steps, we rested atop ~ visualizing history, as new, in an earlier year. Nearby was a Cenote like a miniature clear-blue lake. Several there are in Yucatan. A Mayan, lazing nearby, invited us to step into this natural swmming hole (formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock which revealed a sub-terranian world of a groundwater pool.) How wonderfully refreshing on this hot, very humid day! It was at these Cenotes that Mayans communicated with gods. Further south, we travelled by boat into a 'mangrove'...unsettled I was (due to fear of snakes and other reptilian creatures!)

Comments for ANI MAL ~ kindly email to

mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca 

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...July 9, 2018