Fauna
Iguana Insights by Susan Campbell
Those prehistoric-looking creatures you see scurrying, sauntering, sunbathing and even scavenging for treats here are green iguanas, the only species of iguana found on Aruba. Here’s the inside scoop on what makes these likeable lizards tick.
Still called yuana in Papiamento from the original Caiquetio Indian name – green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are fairly abundant all over the island. These dinosaurish reptiles are attracted to the very green surroundings typical of hotel landscaping, so you are bound to run into one sooner or later. Though iguanas originated in the rain forests of Central and South America, Aruba’s iguanas have adapted to the less than lush environment and act more like ground lizards than tree-dwelling ones. According to Gerard van Buurt, author of the book Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, iguanas were here before humans. He says, “The iguanas living on Aruba differ from those on the mainland; they are already adapted to life on semiarid 40 Nights
islands. These adaptations concern differences in behavior, size, size of the eggs and clutch size. The timing of the reproductive cycle is geared to the normal pattern of rainfall. It seems unlikely that such adaptations could have developed in a time span of only 4,000 to 5,000 years or less. It is thus more likely that the green iguana has been present on these islands for quite a long time and that it reached these islands on its own.” Aruban iguanas sleep in candelabra cacti and in cave nooks. In populated areas, they find secluded spots on rooftops. They sleep all night, then recharge in the sun’s rays (being cold-blooded they need to adjust their body temperature) and once sufficiently warmed, they forage for food. Their eyesight, hearing and
sense of smell are excellent and they also use their tongues to better identify objects. Green iguanas are not always “green”. Like chameleons, they can change colors (though not as dramatically and quickly) to become camouflaged. Aruban iguanas can grow to approximately three feet in length and, under ideal conditions, can live as long as 20 years. e