The Critically Endangered Fiji Crested Iguana is around 13,000, with 12,000 of those individuals occurring on the tiny 70 hectare island of Yadua Taba. The remaining estimate of less than 1,000 individuals in total are scattered among 14 other islands.

Iguanas have spines along their backs to help protect them from predators. They also have a bunch of extra skin below their necks called a dewlap. This dewlap helps them to regulate their temperature, which is helpful as they are cold-blooded and their bodies don’t control their body temperature automatically.

It is estimated that the Fiji banded iguana population has decreased by 50 percent in the last 35 to 40 years, and these iguanas are now extinct on some of the islands. They have experienced extensive habitat loss due to mining, forest burning, logging and agriculture.

Speaking of food, iguanas themselves are eaten by a variety of natural predators—hawks, owls, snakes—and humans. Green iguanas are bred and raised on farms in Central and South America to be eaten by people. Young iguanas are particularly vulnerable to predation by feral cats, and no iguana is safe from a pack of dogs.

Iguanas tend to steer clear of tough plants with thick leaves as well as citrus, pentas and crotons.

Don’t Appeal to Their Appetite Iguanas love avocados, mangos, berries, and leafy greens. Yet, citrus trees are not their favorite. You may want to consider this when planning which plants to put in your yard. Leaving out any food will also attract iguanas.

Iguanas are usually found in warm places such as Florida. They come out during the day and sleep at night, just like us. Aside from what they do when they’re awake, it’s also interesting to learn about their sleeping habits. How and where do iguanas sleep?

Just like us, iguanas are diurnal. This means they are most active during the day and like to rest at night. Unlike us though, they’re arboreal. This means they like to hang out in trees.

Although these reptiles are polyphasic, their sleep shows a tendency to concentrate between 20:00 and 8:00 h. Quiet sleep occupies the greater percentage of the total sleep time.

Signs of disease in iguanas may be specific for a certain disease, such as jaw or hind limb swelling with metabolic bone disease. More often, signs of disease are non-specific, such as an iguana with anorexia (lack of appetite), depression and lethargy, which can be seen with many diseases.

Photoperiod: Iguanas generally need 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness. The visible light and the UVB light source should be turned off at night to give the iguana a light-dark cycle. As mentioned above, supplemental heat may need to be added.

Iguanas do sleep, but it isn’t the same way that humans and other animals sleep. When an iguana sleeps it enters a deep, restful state. It’s breathing and heart rate slows, but it maintains a high level of vigilance that keeps it aware of potential threats and danger.

A green iguana can remain underwater for up to four hours before needed to take another breath.

Iguanas do bite people, but only in self-defense. Their sharp teeth are specifically created to tear plants apart, but could be really painful to humans. Fortunately, they give a warning before doing so. It will stand up on its legs, lean forward, and bob its head as a sign that they feel threatened.