Thanks to running this joint, I see zoos differently. I have loved every single one I have gone to and have many "boyfriends" around the country, but as I said, I started with Iguanas and I cannot forget the most Iconic Iguana I ever got to love on.



Gitmo was an awesome Cuban Iguana, but he wasn't always the nicest of guys before he moved to the US. He was originally a nuisance animal at GITMO aka Guantanamo Bay Military Base and would terrorize the servicemen. There was a conservation programs in effect at the time and through some fancy footwork, he got transferred to the San Diego Zoo's conservation Program which was later renamed to Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center for Conservation Research. It was there I met him, along with my firsts of many iguana species. My very first pure Grand Cayman Blue iguana and I also met Marlon and Irwin, the Cyclura pinguis, which are an amazingly unique species to feel. But Gitmo, he stole my heart. He was used for a lot of outreach programs and was very people oriented. I broke the rules using a vertical photo (again, what's the worst that is going to happen?) because it shows how amazingly wonderful he was with people. Gitmo interacted with you and connected with you. He loved belly rubs and chin scritches. Gitmo passed a few years back of natural causes. He came to the zoo as an adult, so his age was not known if I remember correctly. I got to visit with him a few times over the years, but this is when I feel head over heals for this lizard. Long live GITMO!


BE SURE TO GET ALL YOUR PHOTOS OFF THE SITE BEFORE WE GO DARK ASAP at gallery.kingsnake.com!