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By: Kim Johns
INTRODUCTION The Sonoran Desert of Arizona is home to many amazing creatures. I have visited this area many times and find something new every time I do. The last time I traveled there I met a Desert Iguana. He LOVES the heat of the desert. He is a very interesting lizard. Did you know his tail is twice as long as his body? I would love for you to read all about him and discover where he lives, what he eats, and how he looks. Let's find out who his biggest enemy is - you might be surprised to find out who, or what, it is. You can than complete a fun activity and test your knowledge of your brand new friend. So, come on, let's go meet the Desert Iguana.  I have many enemies where I choose to roam. But I love the scorching heat of the desert I call home. I am a Desert Iguana. WHERE DO I LIVE? I live in Southwest regions that are very dry and hot. The sandy flats through creosote bush is where I like to trot. Where the kangaroo rat builds its burrow is where I like to hide. My predators can’t find me there and it’s much chillier inside. WHAT DO I EAT? I’m mostly vegetarian, but sometimes I’ll eat bugs. If you offer me a mealworm, you won’t see me shrug. I especially like yellow leaves when I want some food. But buds and flowers will do just fine; they’re also very good. HOW DO I LOOK? I am very large and round with a very lengthy tail. I have a small and rounded head and sturdy legs as well. If you were to measure me, there’s something you should know. My body’s only half as big as what my tail will grow. I also have broad colored bands that start right at my head. They turn into rounded rings right where my tail ends. The bands and rings are brown and gray but my body is very light. I am very scaly from back to front – I’m quite an awesome sight!  HOW DO I REPRODUCE?
How I breed is not well known, but when summer comes around. I will lay about eight eggs that hatch when leaves turn brown FUN FACT ABOUT ME: One of my biggest enemies has an engine and four wheels. Unfortunately I’m very small and can end up as ‘road kill’.  ACTIVITY
Materials Needed:
Notebook Paper (blank and lined)
Pencil
Crayons, Markers, Colored Pencils
Stapler and Staples
Computer and PowerPoint (if desired)
K – 1st grade: Make a mini-book about the Desert Iguana. First, write a short story (3-5 sentences) about the Desert Iguana. Add a picture (this can be hand drawn or one you found on the internet). Make a title for your story. You can do this project in PowerPoint if you would like – have your mom, dad, sister, brother or friend help you if you don’t know how to use PowerPoint. 2nd grade: Make a mini-book about the Desert Iguana. First write a paragraph or two about what you have learned about the Desert Iguana. Add two pictures (from a book, the internet or draw your own). Finally, make a front cover for your book – remember to include a title. When you are finished, put it all together like this: Front cover, paragraph and pictures, blank page for the back cover. Staple it all together. This project can be completed on PowerPoint and printed out and then stapled together in the same way. Ask a parent, brother, sister or friend for help with PowerPoint if you don’t know how to use it. 3rd grade: Make a mini-book about the Desert Iguana. Do some more research (from books or the internet) and find out two new facts about the Desert Iguana. Follow the 2nd grade instructions for a mini-book except: do some more research about the Desert Iguana, write three to four paragraphs about what you discovered, add at least 3 pictures, two transitions, and music. Make a cover page (including a title), and design a back cover. You may also use PowerPoint to complete this project and then print it out and assemble it beginning with the front cover, your paragraphs and information, your pictures and then your back cover. HAVE FUN! WHERE CAN YOU FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ME?
There's so much more about me; that is very true. So check out these cool websites (that's what I would do):
San Diego Natural History Museum:
OR
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