Getting to Know the Desert Iguana

Grade Levels

3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade

Course, Subject

Science and Technology and Engineering Education, Environment and Ecology (Agriculture), Science

Related Academic Standards

3.1.3.A1 3.1.3.A1

Describe characteristics of living things that help to identify and classify them.

3.1.4.A1 3.1.4.A1

Classify plants and animals according to the physical characteristics that they share.

3.1.7.A1 3.1.7.A1

Describe the similarities and differences of physical characteristics in diverse organisms.

3.1.8.A8 3.1.8.A8

CHANGE AND CONSTANCY

Explain mechanisms organisms use to adapt to their environment.

4.1.4.A 4.1.4.A

Explain how living things are dependent upon other living and nonliving things for survival.

Explain what happens to an organism when its food supply, access to water, shelter or space (niche / habitat) is changed.
Identify similarities and differences between living organisms, ranging from single-celled to multi-cellular organisms through the use of microscopes, video, and other media.

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Organism Name

Common Name: Desert Iguana
Scientific Name: Dipsosaurus dorsalis

Classification Information

Kingdom: Animal
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Iguanidae
Genus: Dipsosaurus
Species: Dorsalis

Geographic Range and Habitat

The Desert Iguana can be found in the creosote desert regions of southern California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Mexico.

This lizard is most common in dry, sandy areas dominated by the creosote bush. But is also found in rocky streambeds and arid forests.

Physical Characteristics

This is a medium-sized lizard of approximately 16 inches, including the tail. It is pale gray with tannish-brown reticulation. There is a row of keeled scales down the center of the back. During the breeding season, the sides of the body, in both sexes, become pinkish in color.

Habits

The Desert Iguana is diurnal and very active. It is tolerant of very high temperatures, only ducking into burrows (their own or another animals) to escape extreme heat and predators.

Diet

The diet of this iguana consists of the leaves and flowers of the creosote bush, some insects and carrion. As an aid in digestion, it eats the fecal pellets of other Desert Iguanas.

Reproduction

Desert Iguanas breed between April and May. The female lays between 2-10 eggs.

Natural History

No information located at this time.

Captive History

No information located at this time.

Conservation

Currently, this species is not threatened or endangered, but this may change as their habitat has been damaged or destroyed.

Did You Know?

The Desert Iguana eats fecal pellets of other desert iguanas to maintain the correct gut fauna and often uses the burrow of the kangaroo rat.

Author

The Buffalo Zoo

Description

As the third oldest zoo in the United States, the Buffalo Zoo houses some of the world's most exotic and endangered wildlife. In collaboration with the Center for Applied Technologies in Education, the Buffalo Zoo has provided these animal profiles to offer a glimpse into the diversity of the Zoo’s collection.

Getting to Know the Desert Iguana