Iguanas, iguanas everywhere!

The San Ignatio Hotel sponsors an exibit and program entitled the 'Green Iguana Project' which today we enjoyed touring. Every year the project collect hundreds of iguana eggs which are incubated and hatched.. raised and eventually set free. It is a conservation effort in reation to the depletion of the iguana population. It seems iguana meat is a delicacy for the Belizean people. In the wild only 10% of the babies survive to adulthood. Grady, Jeremy, Ashley, Ryan, Grant, Timmy, Joshua, Gracie, Jonathon, Laura and I had a nice time on the nature walk and visiting both of the iguana enclosures.

We enjoyed a guided jungle tour on our way to the exhibit area

At one point our guide pointed out a termite nest in a nearby tree. He proceeded to tell us that termites are a terrific source of protein and if you ever got lost in the jungle that you could survive on them.. he then asked if there were any volunteers to take a taste! Grant was the first to be brave enough to agree to it.. in the end we all (except for Grace and Laura) ate at least one termite! Really they werent that bad.. tasted a bit like carrots.. or celery or cedar..

The look says it all~

Our guide, with a handful of baby iguanas



Jonna, waiting to hold a little baby iguana



Ryan holds the 'mascot' iguana. Notice his beautiful orange color~

It is mating season when the males turn this lovely color in order to attract the females

Ryan with a handful of babies. They are this lovely green color for the first year or so of their lives in order to blend in with their surroundings.. mostly leaves, vines etc




Hold tightly Ashley! During mating season the males are known for being very clumsy. This one flung himself onto the enclosure floor which was 10 feet below. In the process he 'messed up' his face (the guide's words) in order to try and get back to his part of the cage floor before one of the the other males over his territory.

Willow is a born natural!

Whats on your head Grant?

Thats better!

iguanas, iguanas everywhere! When this photo was taken, he had 6 on him!

Hold still Willow!

Laura enjoys investigating the lovely San Ignatio Hotel.. barefooted of course!

Mandy and Sister Stephanie had stayed in the van as Amanda was not really up to walking around. Here they are coming in to use the restroom in the hotel as we were coming out

Two of our guys wait as the crew of 17 load up into the van. What a blessed day. Thanks Stacey-jean for recommending this fun exhibit!