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Posted by nate351 on March 24, 2003 at 22:47:51:
In Reply to: normal basking pose? posted by shortydsm on March 24, 2003 at 22:07:58:
the short answer is: yes, it is natural.
the long answer is: since iguanas are cold blooded, they have developed several behavioral techniques to regulate their body temperature based on their surroundings. The dewlap offers a large surface area replete with capilaries. When the dewlap is extended perpendicular to a heat source, the blood in the capilaries heats up (like holding your hands in front of a fire). This helps warm the rest of the iguana. Similarly, if the iguana extends the dewlap parallel to a heat source, it acts like a radiator, releasing heat from the blood in the capilaries. The iguana will also open it's mouth to cool itself much like a dog does (since dogs cannot sweat).
If the iguana is extraordinarily dark, and basks like that all day long, it may be chronically too cold. just a thought.
anyway, hope this helps.
nate.
