The importance of calcium in relation to phosphorus, especially in folivorous reptiles

Abstract

The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is being employed for this presentation because it is paradigmatic of a large, showy, intelligent (for a triune-brained reptile), rapidly growing, folivorous lizard taxon that is displayed in many zoological collections. Green iguanas are very favoured by the pet trade (approximately one million are imported into the USA annually, and nearly an equal number are imported into and distributed to the UK, continental Europe, and Asia). Even with trade, green iguanas are still relatively nonendangered over much of their range because captive breeding is often effective. Loss of habitat, however, still threatens some native populations.