Iguanas and tegus are popular pet reptiles that are known for their intelligence and gentle nature.
However, some owners have reported that their iguanas and tegus exhibit unusual behavior during certain times of the year, such as during their breeding season or their owner’s menstrual cycle.
Yes, you read that right – chances are your pet reptile can “smell” your period.
This behavior is well documented for iguanas, but still not researched when it comes to tegus. Some female iguana owners have reported instances of being bitten by their pets during their menstrual cycle.
This is thought to be due to the similarity in scent between human menstruation and the pheromones released by female iguanas during their mating season.
The research on the behavior of tegus during times of hormonal change is less extensive than for iguanas.
However, some tegu owners have reported that their reptiles become more aggressive or territorial during their menstrual cycles. Women who own tegus often report on social media instances in which their otherwise docile male tegus biting them while they are menstruating.
The exact cause of the behavior of iguanas and tegus during times of hormonal change is not fully understood. However, it is thought to be related to the ability of these reptiles to detect subtle changes in the scent of human sweat and urine.
These changes can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during menstruation or ovulation, and seem to have an effect on a male reptile’s behavior.
This is thought to be due to the similarity in scent between human menstruation and the pheromones released by female iguanas during their mating season.
The smell of human menstruation can trigger the male iguana’s instinct to mate, and he may become aggressive in an attempt to mate with his owner.
In some cases, the aggression can be so severe that the iguana may bite or scratch his owner.
References
Male Iguanas In Breeding Season and Human Females (1997). Melissa Kaplan.
Here’s why you shouldn’t cuddle with an iguana when on your period (2017). HelloGiggles.
PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.