National Iguana Awareness Day is celebrated every year on September 8. The day is observed as the perfect chance to learn more about the good keeping of your pet iguana. You can learn tips on how to keep your iguana friendly and healthy, and even master a few grooming tricks to make it look dashing. Iguanas make for great pets for those who are cramped for space or don’t want to spend a lot of time looking after a pet. These cold-blooded reptiles can be amazing and affectionate pets for many decades if they are given proper care and attention.
History of National Iguana Awareness Day
It’s hard to tell how the celebrations of National Iguana Awareness Day came about, but it is safe to assume that the day is observed to help pet owners learn more about how they can take care of their pet iguanas and ensure a healthy life. This day is celebrated by iguana owners and by everyone who has a keen interest in these reptiles.
Iguanas are fascinating creatures, they are cold-blooded reptiles with an amazing active tail, but annoy them a little bit and you might end up with an awful bite. Iguanas are native to South and Central America. Iguanas didn’t always exist in America, it is believed that they came to the country on cargo boats. Over the years the iguana population rapidly multiplied and they are now commonly seen in the Florida Keys as squirrels in the Midwestern U.S.! Even though they have existed in America for a long time now, these cold-blooded colorful reptiles are not safeguarded from hunting or pet collection. Many Florida residents have taken these iguanas to their homes and turned them into pets. While the iguana owners may be well-intentioned, not all new owners of these baby iguanas realize that a tiny iguana will one day develop scales and grow to a length of six feet! Iguanas need special care since they have very specific dietary needs. It is easy to love an iguana and even introduce young children to it, but taking care of these cold-blooded colored reptiles is no easy feat.
National Iguana Awareness Day timeline
The first reptiles are spotted on planet Earth.
Dinosaurs and other giant reptiles populate the Earth.
The impact of large asteroids in the Mesozoic Era wipes out the dinosaurs.
Marine iguanas evolve from land iguanas.
National Iguana Awareness Day FAQs
Are iguanas friendly?
Iguanas can recognize their owners and family, have a great memory, are affectionate, live 15 to 20 years, and can be trained to eat, sleep and defecate at desired times and places.
Do iguanas bite you?
Iguanas do bite people, but only in self-defense. Their sharp teeth are specifically created to tear plants apart, but their bite could be really painful to humans.
Do iguanas get sick?
The most common iguana diseases are salmonellosis and botulism, while others include leptospirosis, campylobacteriosis (a bowel infection), and trichinellosis (a muscle and nervous system disease).
How To Celebrate National Iguana Awareness Day
Adopt an iguana
Looking to adopt a pet? An iguana can make for an excellent pet if you live in a small apartment or don’t have the time to take your pet on a walk. National Iguana Awareness Day is the perfect day to open your home to a new member.
Trend it on social media
Use the hashtag #NationalIguanaAwarenessDay to post photos of your pet iguana. Encourage other pet owners to do the same.
Learn how to take care of an iguana
If you are sure about adopting an iguana, you could use the day to learn about how to take care of your new pet. Learn about health and grooming tips to ensure a healthy life for your pet.
5 Facts About Iguanas That Will Blow Your Mind
They have three eyes
Iguanas have a third eye on the top of their heads.
They are social creatures
Iguanas are known to be very social and like to live and eat together.
They are mostly vegan
Iguanas only eat plants, fruits, leaves, and flowers and rarely insects.
They can commit suicide
Iguanas may end their own life if they feel they are being taken care of by their owner.
They are eaten as food
A special delicacy called “Bamboo Chicken” is made of green iguanas.
Why We Love National Iguana Awareness Day
A day to celebrate our pets
National Iguana Awareness Day celebrates these gentle lizards who make for excellent pets. Today is the day to show some extra love to your iguana.
It teaches us how to take care of our pets
Not sure of how to take care of your iguana? National Iguana Awareness Day is the perfect day to brush up on your iguana parent skills. This is the day to master a few iguana-keeping tips.
Makes us empathetic
A day dedicated solely to teach humans how to take care of iguanas should also make us empathetic towards animals with whom we share the planet. National Iguana Awareness Day aims to make us kinder people.
National Iguana Awareness Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | September 8 | Sunday |
| 2025 | September 8 | Monday |
| 2026 | September 8 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 8 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 8 | Friday |
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