Have you been researching the habits and traits of iguanas?
Are you wondering about their behavior and attitude?
If you are interested in learning more about how iguanas ask, one of your first questions might be:
What sound does an iguana make?
Iguanas will typically make two kinds of sounds. These include a soft sneezing kind of sound through their noses and a whipping sound made from moving their tails.
Keep reading to learn more about the sounds an iguana will make.
Table of Contents
What Sound Does An Iguana Make?
Iguanas don’t make a whole lot of noise, especially when you are comparing them to other household pets like dogs or cats.
When you first bring an iguana into your home, you might be looking for it to make a noise, or startled when you do hear something.
Like many reptiles, iguanas are very quiet animals.
If you are the owner of an iguana, you will notice them making mainly two kinds of noises.
The first is a low, sneezing or snorting kind of noise, much softer than you might make if you were to sneeze.
They make this noise when debris gets caught in their bodies.
Typically, the build-up is excess salts found in either food or the environment.
They will then sneeze and snort the debris from their nose, but it is very quiet, and unless you are listening for it, you will likely not notice.
You will notice a gritty and watery discharge coming from their noses, as a result of the snorting.
In addition to the light sneezing or snorting, you might also hear some quiet coughing as the iguana works to remove the debris from its body.
If you notice prolonged coughing, instead of the occasional cough, keep an eye on your pet or contact your vet, as the iguana might have developed an illness.
The other noise you will mainly hear coming from an iguana is a whipping noise created from the movement of their tail.
Iguanas will often make the whipping noise when they are agitated or are trying to warn off predators.
If you notice your iguana making these whipping noises, be sure to take a look around their enclosure to check what might be causing them to be agitated.
Insects can easily enter the cage if it is left open, and can annoy your iguana.
Be sure to remove whatever is annoying your animal, as the iguana could injure its tail.
How Do Iguanas Communicate?
So if iguanas don’t communicate using barks or yowls like your cat or dog might, how do they communicate with other members of their species?
Even if they are not communicating verbally, they will be sending signals to you or other iguanas they might come across in the wild.
These animals mostly use their body language as a means of communicating with other members of their species.
Body language conveyed by the iguana will help navigate the world warding off predators, attracting a mate, catching prey, and so much more.
By deciphering the body language of your iguana, you will be better able to care for your pet.
Displaying Dominance
If an iguana is raised completely up on its hind legs, it is either displaying dominance or has been startled.
When they are trying to display dominance over another iguana or animal, they will rise and sit on their hind legs to look larger and be taller than the other animal.
The dewlap found under their chin will also elongate as another way for the iguana to try to display dominance.
The dewlap is an extra skin flap, located under the chin of an iguana.
You might also see a lot of head-bobbing, both side to side and up and down.
The faster the head bobbing, the more upset or aggressive your iguana likely is.
Reproduction
Iguanas will also communicate with body language when they are trying to reproduce.
A male iguana will stand up on its hind legs and walk upright when he is trying to impress a lady iguana.
The male will try to show off to the female by walking around her in a circle or turning to the side.
While they are putting on this show, the male will also raise his tail above the hind legs, or he will move it side to side.
Over Stimulation
If you recently brought your iguana home, you might have noticed the animal sitting in its enclosure with eyes closed.
Your iguana is doing this to help with the over-stimulation of all the new things around it.
The iguana is experiencing sensory overload, with a new home, new sights, new sounds, and, most of all, new people.
As your iguana becomes more comfortable and relaxes in their environment, they will slowly begin to open their eyes one at a time until both eyes are open more and more.
Emotional State Of Your Iguana
Whether your iguana is agitated, depressed, or happy, you will be able to decide based on what their body language is telling you.
A happy iguana will be snorting and sneezing and making regular movements throughout their cage.
The more silent your animal, the more likely something is wrong.
Iguanas can get depressed, and no noise or movement is a definite indication of this.
If you notice your iguana constantly moving around their enclosure, more so than usual, your pet might be agitated.
Try to uncover what is upsetting your iguana, and if it is an environmental issue, try to correct it.
Your iguana might also try to nip at you, indicating it is agitated.
Besides irritation, this could be an indication your iguana is not feeling well.
Each iguana is different, so you will need to observe your pet to understand their moods and behaviors to help you make determinations of their emotions or issues.
Conclusion
Iguanas spend most of their time quietly relaxing on a branch or moving throughout their cage.
Like many reptiles, iguanas are all but silent, but you are likely to hear snorting or sneezing and whipping from their tails if you listen closely.
Knowing and understanding the noises your pet makes will help you understand their moods and better care for your pet.
