One of the most common reptiles found in the South and Central America is the green iguana. Several breeds can be seen in Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil and the Caribbean Islands.

It is not known for sure that the green iguana is an endangered species but it is often thought as one because hunters love this iguana attraction. Hunters love to hunt for female iguanas. Why is this the case? They are considered a delicacy for some people. What is this female iguana delicacy called? How about Bamboo Chicken.

1. Green Iguana Physical Appearance

How big do the green iguanas get? For starters, these reptiles can grow anywhere from four to six feet long although some have managed to get up to seven feet in length. The tail of the iguana is almost half of their body, taking up more than half that length.

So what does the green iguana look like exactly? Yes, these iguanas are green but they also have a dominant black stripe along their bodies. Their shade of green changes from a bright green to a grayish dull green color, hence the reason behind the name. The iguana’s skin is primarily rough because it has pointy scales along its back. They are equipped with long fingers and claws. This makes it easy for them to grasp limbs and climb to get out of the way of danger and predators.

2. The Green Iguana’s Habitat

Baby green iguanas are usually raised in a tropical rainforest setting especially where there is water, such as streams and rivers, in low altitudes. Much of the iguana’s beginning years they spend at the top of the forest, about 40 to 50 feet high from the ground.

3. Baby Green Iguana’s Adaptations

Despite the baby iguana’s claws and long fingers, there are other wonderful traits and adaptations they have. They have a strong sense of senses especially hearing, sight and smell.

Their defense mechanisms are in their tails. Their tails are sharp and will point high when they sense danger. If a predator is able to get ahold of their tail and remove it, the tail will grow back as if there was no damage whatsoever. Since the baby iguana’s skin is considered tough, scratches and cuts are able to be avoided. It is also water-resistant.

Due to its skin pigmentation, the baby green iguana can camouflage itself when it senses predators in the area. However, if this does not work and predators do find them, the babies are able to jump hurriedly from the trees to water. Remember, iguanas do live near water so they are excellent swimmers.

Among their wonderful traits, these baby iguanas are quite strong. Should they fall 40 to 50 feet from a tree to the ground, they can always come away from it unhurt.

The male iguana has what is called dewlap on the skin. What is a dewlap? It is a special flap used to attract female green iguanas. It can also be used to intimidate the predators would love to attack them. The dewlaps help the iguanas appear as if they are much bigger than they really are.

The green iguanas can keep fat under their necks and jaws for some time when times are rough and there is not much food to get.

Green Babycare by Susannah Marriott

A great guide for green mothers of all types. This book breaks down the big issues including re-usable nappies, plastic free toys and organic food for babies. It includes great tips for green living, from “light green” to “deep green” suggestions for the hard core greenie. Many of the tips and ideas can be incorporated into daily routines, even without babies. A great resource for raising baby gree from Penguin Books.

Peter Rabbit discovers FSC

Peter Rabbit Naturally Better from Penguin Books Penguin Books is relaunching the timeless classic in “green”. Our favourite characters, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and of course Peter, are now Naturally Better on Forest Stewardship Council certified stock which are made from safe, recyclable and ethically responsible sources. Titles include, Peter Rabbit Naturally Better Baby Book, Peter Rabbit Naturally Better I Love You and more. Green education starts young, get your baby started on the right green foot.

Raising Baby Green by Dr. Alan Greene

Heralded as the “Al Gore of Pediatrics”, Dr. Alan Greene is a champion for environmental practices from infancy. His latest book, Raising Baby Green: The Earth Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Baby Care gives many helpful hints to environmentally conscious parents on making healthy product and lifestyle choices from pregnancy onwards.

The comprehensive guide, available from Amazon.com, offers new parents straightforward advice about making the best choices for their new additions. Raising Baby Green is the first definitive, up-to-date guide for parents on how to raise happy, healthy children in a way that helps both the families and the world around them.

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Cloth nappies also have a substantial impact due to the amount of water and resources it takes to launder them. A UK study done by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) indicated that under ‘average’ conditions, a traditional cloth nappy had a greater environmental impact of 570 kg when compared to a disposable nappy that they measured to have an impact of 550 kg. The study highlights ‘the importance of laundry choices for re-usable nappies in cutting their impact,’ said a spokesperson from DEFRA.

The study assumed that only three quarters of nappies were line dried and the remainder were tumbled in a drier. Washing nappies in fuller loads or line-drying them outdoors all the time was found to reduce impact by 16 per cent. The nappies were also assumed to be used on only one child when re-using nappies for a second child reduces the impact by another 24 per cent.
Meanwhile, modern innovations have taken nappy production to new heights. Many varieties of eco-friendly nappies are now available, such as Weenees disposable eco-pads or Eco-bots, a disposable nappy endorsed by Planet Ark, which use bio-degradable wood pulp and modified corn starch bioplastics.

The Dirty Lowdown on Disposable Nappies

Consider these sizable facts on disposable nappies:

• Nappies are the third most common item, by volume and weight, in American, UK, European, Japanese and Australian landfills.

• According to Choice consumer magazine, 95 per cent of Australian babies wore disposable nappies in 2007. In China, only 6 per cent do; in India, 2 per cent.
• It takes over 10 full sized trees to produce the number of nappies your baby will use in its first couple of years.

• Production of a single disposable nappy requires 2/3 of a cup of petroleum. This adds up to over 3 billion gallons (1134 billion litres of oil) per year dedicated to disposable nappy production.

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Babies have exceptionally sensitive skin and very delicate immune systems so baby items need to be selected with care. ‘Most people understand that residues from everything you put onto skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream and may also be responsible for rashes or irritation,’ says Catherine Cervasio, founder of Aromababy. Petro chemically derived ingredients, such as mineral oil, are reported to reduce the skin’s ability to ‘breathe’. Cervasio suggests less frequent bathing, less use of commercial products and a more natural approach to personal hygiene for babies and children.

Organic and natural fabrics for clothing and bedding will expose baby to less harmful chemicals and dyes that could be potential allergens. Toys should also be made from natural materials such as wood and cloth. Plastics, while durable, are made from petrochemicals and can contain polyvinyl chloride which has been known to release potentially harmful fumes – you’d be amazed at just how much plastic your child is exposed to from birth.

Food is another area where sustainable, organic choices can be made. First and foremost, breast milk is one of the most nutritious and environmentally friendly foods for baby – just consider the elimination of packaging and food miles. Andrew Radford, from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, estimates that if every baby in the US was bottle-fed, almost 86,000 tonnes of tin plate would be required for 550 million discarded formula tins. Formula must also be heated up in plastic bottles, which of course, uses more energy and resources. ‘A 3 month-old bottle-fed baby needs 1 litre of water a day for mixing feeds,’ Radford says.

Most parents find that they become much ‘cleaner’ and more conscious of germs when they have a young child. The temptation may be to bleach, sanitise and sterilise everything baby can get his hands on. Opt for natural cleaners such as bicarbonate soda and vinegar, they do an effective job and minimise the family’s exposure to harmful chemicals.

By taking the extra steps to choose a greener and more sustainable lifestyle from day one, your child can get off on the right foot to being more aware and environmentally conscious. Eco minded parents are most likely to pass their values and principles down to their children. While it seems cliché, children are the future and we will depend on them to continue our quest to protect the environment.

Look for more eco friendly and green baby products on the Green Pages green directory.

After all, who are we really saving the planet for?