Iguana intelligence

With non-human animals we typically rate intelligence in terms of memory, ability to learn and problem-solving skills as opposed to instinctive behaviours or reactions.

When iguana's visual learning capacity was tested experimentally, researchers discovered that this species is capable of distinguishing between two complementary colours such as red-green, blue-yellow, black-white as well as between test pairs such as narrow versus wide stripes, green dots against brown, wavy lines and similar patters. Such acquired knowledge was retained in memory for up to 5 months.

Memory:

1. When we just moved into the new home I planted Fennel in the back garden, between the wall and big bushes so that it would be protected from the wind. This was also the time that I started training Forest in the garden, I taught him that he was allowed in the herb gardens and that the back garden was forbidden due to big trees. After the training sessions he used to stretch himself out on the warm bricks next to the pool and I rewarded his good behaviour by going into the back garden and picking some Fennel for him. Of course this was a big mistake because true to the iguana's inquisitive nature Forest watched my every move. I realized my mistake and planted Fennel in his herb garden as well, thinking he would forget about me going into the back garden and coming out with his favourite snack. From there on he enjoined the Fennel in his own garden and the Fennel in the back garden were trampled by the garden service boys.

A year later we had a huge hail storm that destroyed most of his herbs, including the Fennel. Forest made a turn in both his herb gardens and then walked all the way to the forbidden back garden. I decided not to stop him and just stood there observing. He walked straight to the spot where he saw me picking the the Fennel A YEAR AGO! Unfortunately there was nothing left of it and he walked back to the pool, disappointed and he gave me a stink eye that I will never forget.

2. I have learned that all chances etc. is ok as long as Forest is a part of it and see it as it happens. (Change stress an iguana severely). We have a house next to Kruger Park and all the kids come with when we go there, 3 to 5 times a year. Forest was still a tiny baby and sat on my shoulder while I packed the bags and carried it to the lounge.

We moved houses and Forest moved from his cage to his own bedroom, his door has plexi-glass so he can see the passage. After 4 months of settling in we decided it was time to go 'home' again and I started packing. I did not include Forest, at that time he did not want to leave his room for anything. I made a couple of trips carrying bags to the lounge and when I returned with the last load I found Forest sitting on top of the bags, again giving me a stink eye. I wonder if he thought I was going to leave him home?

I still have lots of memory examples but the above shocked me the most.

Recognition:

Apart from people recognition, Forest also recognize the difference between Sky and River my bearded dragons, it sometimes happen that they encounter each other in the garden or anywhere in the house. Sky is an easy going boy and nothing bothers him, when Sky and Forest meet they simply walk past each other without any problems. River on the other hand is the most courages being I have ever seen and he thinks he can catch Forest and heaven knows what he plans to do after that! So when ever Forest see River he does one of two things, he either turns around and go another way or he charges River and I have to jump in between.

Forest and my Indian Ringneck parrot do not recognize black people's faces. My cleaning girl, Siza has been working for us for 2 years now and works 5 days a week. She has to go to the outside bathroom and put her uniform on before she can enter the house. If she for some reason enters the house without her uniform my parrot starts screaming blue murder and Forest goes black and hide behind something when he sees her. February Siza went on maternity leave and her cousin stood in for her. The first day she walked into the house, not wearing the uniform, my parrot screamed and Forest hid under his pillow. I gave her the uniform and when she came back dressed my parrot and Forest was 100% ok.

Forest has no problem recognizing between white people.

Awareness:

Forest is aware of consequences, he knows right from wrong and he hides when he knows he will get punished. (His punishment is no going outside and no tv.)

I have a 275w infra-red light that stays on during winter nights to keep his room warm. I sometimes stand by his door and watch him sleeping, if I stand for too long he wakes up and looks at me.

Trainability:

An iguana can be trained to do things that you want, for instance pooping before coming inside the house. You can also train him not to clime on your head, furniture, curtains etc. You can even train him to come out of his enclosure so that you dont have to stand on a chair to reach him. I trained mine to sit for a piece of garlic bread, he will do ANYTHING for garlic bread.
http://www.reptileparrots.com/t373-iguana-intelligence


http://www.reptileparrots.com/f1-iguanas