Iguanas Hatch Out

Iguanas Hatch Out

Jub Jub, Taronga’s Common Iguana has just sired five hatchlings, one male and four females. These are first hatchlings since Jub Jub arrived in 2005.Even though it took seven years for Jub Jub to sire offspring, these iguanas generally aren’t hard to breed, but until now the Zoo didn’t have a need to breed this species. The hatchlings are the next generation of Common (otherwise known as Green) Iguanas at Taronga and other wildlife agencies.Although named after Selma’s pet iguana from The Simpsons, the two Jub Jubs don’t share much more than their name. In The Simpsons, Jub Jub munches though meat, however Common Iguanas actually only eat plants. Jub Jub arrived years ago after National Parks and Wildlife staff confiscated the iguana which was being kept as a pet. Because of this background the big lizard is very comfortable around people. The same can’t be said for the two female iguanas he shares his exhibit with at Reptile World! You can pick which one he is as he’s the largest of the three.Common Iguanas aren’t rare, but they have a claim to fame not only on The Simpsons, but also as the largest lizard in South America. Jub Jub’s hatchlings are currently only seven centimetres long from head to tail. As adults they can reach two metres, so the hatchlings have quite some growing to do!You can come and meet Jub Jub during the Reptile Encounters that we do.  Click here for more information on the reptile encounters.- Michael McFadden, Reptile Keeper