TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Chiayi County resident came home Tuesday (March 30) to find a large green iguana, which experts say was looking for a place to lay its eggs, clinging onto the front door.
The resident, surnamed Gu (辜), who had recently moved from Chiayi City to Zhongpu Township, had heard that the species lives around the Bajhang and Chilan river valleys, CNA reported. However, Gu never expected to see one up close.
Gu notified the county’s agriculture department about the reptilian visitor, and they then asked Ho Du-cheng (何篤誠), a research assistant at National Chiayi University's Department of Biological Resources, for assistance in catching the reptile, per CNA. Ho said the green iguana in question was about 80 centimeters in length and pregnant.
Noting that the reptile had several air gun-related wounds, Ho speculated that it was looking for a place to lay its eggs.
The invasive animals usually inhabit the Bajhang and Chilan river valleys, Ho said. He added that females lay eggs from November to March.
The research assistant noted that Gu's residence was quite far from any water source. He added that further study was needed to determine whether the reptile had been scared away from its group or was on the move due to changes in its habitat.
The reptile is currently in an NCU research laboratory, according to the agriculture department.
(CNA photos)
