Iguana iguana: a model species for studying the ontogeny of behavior/hormone interactions

Several features of the green iguana, Iguana iguana, make this species an excellent subject for biological research, especially with respect to collecting comparative data on behavior/hormone interactions. This species thrives on captivity, and behavioral interactions appear substantially similar to those observed in natural populations, given effective captive environments. Because hatchlings do not necessarily associate with adult conspecifics in wild populations, behavioral patterns exhibited by and among juveniles in either natural conditions or captivity are probably unlearned behaviors. The species is large enough to obtain blood samples at frequent intervals at an early age. Because the species is herbivorous the maturation process can be controlled by the caloric base made available to individual lizards.