The Importance of Nursing Theory Research Paper

The Importance of Nursing Theory - Research Paper Example The Roy Adaptation model, a grand theory model, is significant in nursing theory for its pragmatic and logical considerations about real-life health environments and the human condition. This paper describes the importance of generalized nursing theory to the nursing profession and, using the Roy Adaptation Model as the appropriate guidance, this paper will describe how this model impacts patient care, the purpose of this particular model, and how this theory would view nursing leadership and education. The Roy Adaptation Model is one of the most viable models in nursing theory. The Importance and Validity of Nursing Theory Study Nursing theory provides a great deal of quantifiable and justified assumptions that assist in building an effective model of nursing practice to improve productivity, interpersonal relationship development between nurse, patient or organizational groups, and can assist in deciding a best practice model taking into consideration environment, biopsychosocial c haracteristics of the nurse, and patient needs. Unlike mathematical models that are often used in organizational science that consider proper utilization of distinct tangible resources, nursing theory is sensible and practical, recognizing the complexity of human behavior and various coping strategies that are integrated into a model of practice to understand the dynamics of relationships and actual patient care. Nursing theory, unlike other models, do not limit the scope of human knowledge to equation modeling or consider the role of the nurse practitioner as being autonomous of their emotional states. In a health environment where inherent emotional responses are going to surface in practice, and where patient emotional and rationalization capacities create adaptable situations, it would be unrealistic to assume that a health care organization could be structured effectively (or training delivered properly) without recognition of these variables in the cycle of nursing care. For t he aforementioned reasons, nursing theory is critical to improving the nursing profession and facilitating more effective care to patients. It identifies the potential hindrances or barriers to communication or group functioning so as to create a template by which to combat these situations. Such theoretical modeling also illustrates how one care or leadership function is inter-dependent on another in a health system, identifying redundancies that might occur in practice or opportunities to improve practice responses. Nursing theory, by drawing on real-life case studies or other supporting qualitative research, creates a knowledge base about legitimate, contemporary nursing requirements or human needs to assist in identifying more effective organizational systems or interpersonal relationship development. Examining the complexities of patient needs, as another relevant example through various studies, creates testable hypotheses about how to handle various emotional constructs in pa tients to deliver better care. Nursing theory can identify certain socio-demographics or ethnographic knowledge about patient personalities in identified cultural groups so that different strategies

Webquest Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Webquest - Essay Example The interest in â€Å"green â€Å"spaces of the interiors of the building where sustainability is reached adds more to the enhancement. A central idea devoted to environmental preservation is important. By bring this interest in sustainability into one’s design, provides for the necessity to be socially responsible for the upkeep of the buildings’ spaces. 1. Materials in Interior Design –. Top-interior-designs.com/materials-in-interior-design; www.interiordesignersla.com/interior-design-materials. This website basically gives a variety of interior designs ranging from cars to houses. It has got numerous illustrations in terms of pictures and offers even an encyclopedia for interior design. It also gives a wealth of materials used in interior designing as well as suitable ones for finishes. There are also a lot of references including interior design schools. 2. Interior Design speciï ¬ cations-this covers interior materials and ï ¬ nishes; lighting, barrier-free, and computer; www.amazon.com/Interior-Design-Materials-Specifications there are various books on interior design and they usually cover all the information that is important as far as planning and execution of interior design projects of all sizes and shapes are concerned. Some books such as The Interior Design Reference Specification Book contain interviews with top practitioners drawn from across the wide field of interior design. 3. Color and materials in interiors design - top-interior-designs.com/color-and-materials-in, A ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline, List of materials used for interior design - The Q&A wiki; wiki.answers.com/Q/...of_materials_used_for_interior_design A variety of colors exist and this website will equip learners with knowledge to choose interior finishes, textiles as well as materials for that are appropriate to fit the requirements of a

Mcdonalds Around the World Essay Example for Free

Mcdonalds Around the World Essay Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald’s restaurant in 1955 in the United States. He offered a limited menu of high quality; moderately priced food served fast spotless surroundings. McDonald’s QSCV (quality, service, cleanliness, and value) was a hit. The chain expanded into every state in the nation. By 1983 it had more than 6,000 restaurants in the United States, and by 1995 it had more than 18,000 restaurants in 89 countries. In 1995 alone, the company built 2,400 restaurants, and by 2001 it had more than 29,000 restaurants in 121 countries. In 1967, McDonald’s opened its first restaurant outside the United States- in Canada. Since then, its international growth accelerated. In 1995, the â€Å"Big Six† countries that provided about 80 percent of the international operating income were Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, France, and Britain. Yet fast food has barely touched many cultures. The opportunities for expanding the market are great, as 99 percent of the world populations are not yet McDonald’s customers. For example, in China, with a population of 1. 2 billion people, there were only 62 McDonald’s restaurants in 1995. McDonald’s vision is to be the major player in food services around the world. In Europe, McDonald’s maintains a small percentage of restaurant sales but commands a large share of the fast-food market. It took the company 14 years of planning before it opened a restaurant in Moscow in 1990. But the planning paid off. After the opening, people were standing in line for up to two hours for a hamburger. It has been said that McDonald’s restaurant in Moscow attracts more visitors (on average 27,000 daily) than Lenin’s mausoleum (about 9,000 people), which used to be the place to see. The Beijing opening in 1992 attracted some 40,000 people to the largest (28,000 square foot) McDonald’s restaurant in China at a location where some 800,000 pedestrians pass by every day. Food is prepared in accordance with local laws. For example, the menus in Arab countries comply with Islamic food preparation laws. In 1995, McDonald’s opened its first kosher restaurant in Jerusalem, where it does not serve dairy products. The taste for fast food, American style, is growing more rapidly abroad than at home. McDonald’s international sales have been increasing by a large percentage every year. Every day, more than 33 million people eat at McDonald’s around the world, with 18 million of them in the United States. Prices vary considerably around the world, ranging from $ 3. 81 in Switzerland to $ 0. 78 in Argentina for the Big Mac, which costs in the United States $ 2. 49. The Economist magazine even devised a Big Mac index to estimate whether a currency is over-or undervalued. For example, the $1. 27 Chinese Mac translates into an implied purchasing power parity of $ 4. 22. The inference is that the Chinese currency is undervalued. Here are other price comparisons for the $ 2. 49 U. S Big Mac: Chile $ 2. 16, Euro area $ 2. 37, Hong Kong $ 1. 40, Japan $ 2. 01, Mexico $ 2. 37, Peru $ 2. 48, Singapore $ 1. 81 and Thailand $ 1. 27. McDonald’s traditional menu has been surprisingly successful. People with diverse dining habits have adopted burgers and fries wholeheartedly. Before McDonald’s introduced the Japanese to French fries, potatoes were used in Japan only to make starch. The Germans thought hamburgers were people from the city of Hamburg. Now McDonald’s also serves chicken, sausage, and salads. Another item, a very different product, is pizza. In Norway, McDonald’s serves grilled salmon sandwich, in the Philippines pasta sauce with frankfurter bits, and in Uruguay hamburger with a poached egg. Any new venture is risky and can be either a very profitable addition or a costly experiment. Despite the global operations, McDonald’s stays in close contact with its customers, who want good taste, fast and friendly service, clean surroundings, and quality. To attain quality, so called quality assurance centers are located in the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition, training plays an important part in customer service. Besides day-today coaching, Hamburger Universities in the United States, Germany, Britain, Japan, and Australia teach the necessary skills in 22 languages with the aim of providing 100 percent customer satisfaction. It is interesting that McDonald’s was one of the first restaurants in Europe to welcome families with children. Not only are children welcomed, but in many restaurants they are also entertained with crayons and paper, a play land, and the clown Ronald McDonald, who can speak 20 languages. With generally aging populations, McDonald’s takes aim at the adult market. With heavy advertising (it has been said that McDonald’s will spend $200 million to promote the new burger), the company introduced Arch Deluxe on a potato-flower bun with lettuce, onions, ketchup, tomato slices, American cheese, grainy mustard, and Mayonnaise. Although McDonald’s considers the over 50 adult burger a great success, a survey conducted five weeks after its introduction showed mixed results. McDonald’s golden arches promise the same basic menu and QSCV in every restaurant. Its products, handling and cooking procedures, and kitchen layouts are standardized and strictly controlled. McDonald’s revoked the first French franchise because the franchise failed to meet its standards for fast service and cleanliness, even though their restaurants were highly profitable. This may have delayed its expansion in France. McDonald’s restaurants are run by local managers and crews. Owners and managers attend the Hamburger University near Chicago or in other places around the world to learn how to operate a McDonald’s restaurants and maintain QSCV. The main campus library and modern electronic classrooms (which include simultaneous translation systems) are the envy of many universities. When McDonald’s opened in Moscow, a one-page advertisement resulted in 30,000 inquiries about the jobs; 4,000 people were interviewed and some 300 were hired. The pay is about 50 percent higher than the average Soviet salary. McDonald’s ensures consistent products by controlling every stage of the distribution. Regional distribution centers purchase products and distribute them to individual restaurants. The centers will buy from local suppliers if the suppliers can meet detailed specifications. McDonald’s has had to make some concessions to available products. For example, it is difficult to introduce the Idaho potato in Europe because of special soil requirements. McDonald’s uses essentially the same competitive strategy in every country: be first in a market and establish its brand as rapidly as possible by advertising very heavily. New restaurants are opened with a bang. So many people attended the opening of one Tokyo restaurant that the police closed the street to vehicles. The strategy has helped McDonald’s develop a strong market share in the fast-food market, even though its U. S competitors and new local competitors quickly enter the market. McDonald’s advertising campaigns are based on local themes and reflect the different environments. In Japan, where burgers are a snack, McDonald’s competes against confectioneries and new â€Å"fast sushi† restaurants. Many of the charitable causes McDonald’s supports abroad have been recommended by its local restaurants. McDonald’s business structures take a variety of forms, with 66 percent of the restaurants being franchises. The development licenses are similar to franchising, but they do not require McDonald’s investment. Joint ventures are undertaken when understanding of the local environment is critically important. The McDonald’s Corporation operates about 21 percent of the restaurants. McDonald’s has been willing to relinquish the most control to its Far Eastern operations, where many restaurants are joint ventures with local entrepreneurs, who own 50 percent or more of the restaurant. European and South American restaurants are generally company-operated or franchised (although there are many affiliates, or joint ventures, in France). Like the U. S franchises, restaurants abroad are allowed to experiment with their menus. In Japan, hamburgers are smaller because they are considered a snack. The Quarter Pounder does not make much sense to people on a metric system, so it is called a Double Burger. Some German restaurants serve beer; some French restaurants serve wine. Some Far Eastern McDonald’s restaurants offer oriental noodles. In Canada, the menu includes cheese, vegetables, pepperoni, and deluxe pizza. However, these new items must not disrupt the existing operation. Despite its success, McDonald’s faces tough competitors, such as Burger King, Wendy’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), and now also Pizza Hut. Moreover, fast food in reheatable containers is now also sold in supermarkets, delicatessens, convenience stores, and even gas stations. McDonald’s has done very well, with a great percentage of profits coming now from International operations. For example, McDonald’s dominates the Japanese market with 1,860 outlets (half the Japanese market) in 1996 compared to only 43 Burger King Restaurants. However, the British food conglomerate Grand Metropolitan PLC, which owns Burger King, haw an aggressive strategy for Asia. Although McDonald’s has been in a very favorable competitive position, since 2001 the customer satisfaction level has been below that of its competitors Wendy’s and Burger King. In China, KFC is more popular than McDonald’s. Some observers suggest that McDonald’s has expanded too fast and that Burger King and Wendy’s have tastiest meals. It is Mr. Jack Greenberg’s (McDonald’s top manager) task to change things around.

Witchcraft - Satan Woship, or Just another Religion? Essays -- Devil-w

Witchcraft - Satan Woship, or Just another Religion? In today's society, new religions are popping up all over the place. One of the oldest, yet fastest growing faiths today is witchcraft. This earth-based, nature oriented belief has been established since the thirteenth century, but it is not until recently that it has began to spread across the world. Everywhere we look we see something associated with the practice of wicca. The movie, Blair Witch Project, is one example of the growing belief in spells, charms, and covens. However, there are many people who disapprove of this practice and are labeling it as a 'false religion.'; Christians, for example, greatly disagree with the belief of witchcraft and find it in association with the devil. Today, there is considerable debate as to whether witchcraft in today's society is simply a harmless religion, or if it is an evil practice in league with Satan. Before anyone can speak their opinion on the practice of witchcraft, one must know a little bit about the religion itself. There are many different definitions of witchcraft. In Webster's Dictionary, it defines witchcraft as. The Christian definition of witchcraft is simply 'devil-worship'; or just plain sin. However, the secular definition is somewhere along the lines of 'cool,'; 'trendy,'; and 'new.'; Although these are the main meanings of the term 'witch craft,'; there are also some other definitions within different cultures, such as Indian medicine men, also known as witch doctors, who are believed to have magical powers that can heal the sick. Different time periods and religions also alter the meaning of witch or witchcraft.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The history of witchcraft dates back all the way to the thirteenth century. During the 13th and 14th centuries, witchcraft was considered to only be harmless magic. However, in the 16th century, witches were condemned and tortured. Later, during the 17th century, witch hunts and trials died off, along with the 'witch craze.';   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Witchcraft was practiced in many different regions around the world. Most experts believe it's origination was somewhere in India or Africa, where magic was used as medicine. Later, the practice was brought over to New England with the pilgrims where it slowly began to grow within the puritan communities. There was a diverse group of people who practiced witchcraft. Most of them were... ...he is simply a Christian concept and he doesn't even exist.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some people believe that witches can't even associate with Christians. This is one of the hardest questions to answer. Some of them say yes and others say no. While most say no, all witches believe that if you are in a religion, you are in that ONE religion alone. Witches disagree with belonging to several faiths, but they never remove themselves completely from another faith. Many things witches do are associated with Christianity, such as, weddings, Christmas services, and even talking to Christian relatives. While they do keep their distance from other religions, witches never cut off all communication with Christians and other religions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So is witch craft evil? Is it a false religion? There will never be a real answer to these questions. It seems that no one can agree on the same answer. Even the witches themselves have disputes within their own belief. Even though the Bible does give factual information as to what's right and what's wrong, it is up to each individual person to decide for themselves what they are going to believe in. So what is the real definition of witchcraft? Decide for yourself.

Its More Fun in The Philippines Background

Introduction:Last January 2012 the Department of Tourism launched the new slogan â€Å"It’s more fun in the Philippines† to raise the awareness of the locals and the tourist who are still unaware of the beauty of the Philippines. The said slogan created a question in our mind. What will be difference of using this new slogan over the old one â€Å" Pilipinas kay Ganda† , will it be more effective to attract tourist and help to promote the hidden beauty of the Philippines that still awaits to be discovered. And with that we come up with the idea to make a study about the questions that we want to be answered. The main goal of the administration is to attract 6.8 million foreign tourists a year by 2014, 8 million by 2015, and 10 million by 2016, by using the slogan will the government can achieve their goal? Background of the studyâ€Å"It’s more fun in the Philippines† campaign was made by David Guerrero the chairman and chief creative officer of BBD O Guerrero, which is the country’s most awarded and popular advertising firm. This slogan is simple yet very meaningful and applicable to the Filipino character. Making the Slogan, the team Guerrero thinks of a theme which can be a big hit to boost the Philippine Tourism Industry, a campaign slogan which can really be a big help to our economy. The campaign objective is to get the Filipinos into the global perception, to start an image that other countries will turn to. This campaign can also be a big help in letting other countries know what the Philippines can offer. The things that no other countries can offer. Objectives:To determine if the slogan has been successfully launched internationally. To determine if the slogan help to raise the awareness of the people about the Philippines. Research Problem:The researchers seek answers to the following questions: 1. Is the slogan will be effective to promote the Philippines? 2. Does the government can market the said slogan glo bally? 3. Will the slogan be able to help to raise the awareness of the people?Variables:Independent: It’s more fun in the PhilippinesDependent: Effect of the slogan in the Philippines’s tourism industrySignificance of the Study:The proposal will be able to determine if the slogan has been successfully marketed globally.The proposal will show if the slogan â€Å"It’s more fun in the Philippines† help to attract tourist to visit Philippines.This proposal will determine if the Department of Tourism has chosen a good slogan for the tourism industry.

Assessment of the Essay of “the Fourth World War Has Begun

Globalization is a process that integrates all the nations around the world, by the unification of global economy with the worldwide exchange of products and services (David, 2002). With that unification, the other matters, such as politics, technology, capital, labor force and culture, all have to undergo a international interaction and fusion. The rapid developments of information and telecommunication technology in recent years, as well as the construction of infrastructure like transportation, have promoted and accelerated the globalization process by connecting people more closely and compressing the time and space for communication.As a result, the nations are becoming more closely interdependent in today’s world. The four basic aspects of globalization identified by the IMF (International Monetary Fund) in 2000 includes: the trade and transactions cross borders, capital flow and investment, international migration of people and spread of knowledge. Globalization is a ra ther controvertial topic and the supporters and opponents are both numerous. The essay of â€Å"The Fourth World War Has Begun† by Marcos focuses on the negative sides of globalization on a global perspective.First, the greedy and warlike logic of contemporary capitalism and markets, which has prospered since the end of the Cold War, is described. A comprehension of globalization as â€Å"world war† has been provided, and this war is fought between the candidates of ruling power of world economy, and the victims are the poor and the humanity, as well as the independence of states and national culture. What the war seeks is a redistribution of the world, and in the process more serious inequality has been caused.The national states have been subordinated to the logic of transnational financial power and commercial free trade, and are reduced to play the sole role of securing markets. Then a fragmented world caused by globalization, which intends on the unification, is d escried. And the tattered picture contains seven pieces that could not be combined together. The seven pieces are: inequality and poverty, globalization of exploitation, migration of people, the globalization of crime and state power, legitimate violence, the emergence of mega-politics, and the various forms of resistance. In the end of the essay, a fable is presented.The perspectives of Marcos will be assessed in the following respects. 1. Is globalization essentially evil? The interactions between people and states are necessary and inevitable with the progress of human society. It is recognized that the trade benefits all participants in the respect of absolute advantage and comparative advantage of goods production by different entities. The globalization has achieved this goal as the worldwide trade is realized in a single major market joined by the whole world. In that unified economic world produced by neoliberalism, the commodities not the people circulate freely.But the pro blem is the problem of justice for the current pattern of unification. Marcos has declared in the essay that the globalization has caused a fragmented world rather than a wholesome one, as certain groups of people who are no use to the new economy, like the indigenous, have been excluded, and it is the purpose of the ZNLA (Zapatista National Liberation Army) to maintain the unification of the Mexico country rather than split. It is declared that the threatening factors to the indigenous include the exploitation of the natural resources, environment pollution and so on.The fragmentation and inequality problem caused by the globalization are the results of the neo-liberal logic. The principles of free competition and maximization of individual profits classify people in the categories of â€Å"winner† and â€Å"loser† (Angelis, 2005). Those who are not adapted to the system are rejected as â€Å"losers†. As the economy framework is fundamentally designed based on the western ideas and criteria, the extension of it to other parts of the world would surely encounter resists and inadaptations.Under the claim of globalization, the transnational enterprises pursue the maximization of profits by the organization of primary materials, labor force, capital, technology, production process and consuming market on a worldwide scale. All the nations and regions that are serviceable to the process are reshaped and included in the major market. In the reorganization process, the resistant factors of people, culture, internal industry and market, as well as political system, have to be wiped out.The unification of the world may be the trend for the future, but it could not be done in a mode which is dominated by a sole culture, that of the western world. The diversification of the nations and regions have to be respected, considered and integrated in the system harmoniously. 2. Is globalization bad for the poor? In the essay, Marcos argues that globalizati on has exacerbated the problem of inequality and poverty. It is stated that the wealth have been accumulated for the few and the poverty for the majority of people. And more poverty is produced by with the progress of the major transnational companies.Whether the globalization has worsened the inequality problem is rather controversial. Lindert & Williamson (2003) argued that the globalization of products and factor markets probably has alleviated the rapid rise of income inequality between countries that are integrated into the global economy. It is found that the income distributions are converged in countries which are integrated more fully in the global economy, and the distributions are diverged between the active participants and the countries that remain isolated from the global economy.And among the participants in the global market, the effects are different regarding to the development stage of the country: the highly advanced, the regions of new settlement and the rest. A nd for the income inequality within nations, the effect globalization has gone both ways. For example, it is indicated that the market-oriented trade liberalization and globalization in Brazil, i. e. , the Mercosur trade reform, has a redistributing and pro-poor effect. It has been shown that the consumption good prices decreased after entering the Mercosur.Decreased poverty has been found after national trade liberalization but no significant inequality effects have been obtained (Borraz et al, 2012). It is found that both the inequality and poverty decreased with rising export exposure but the poverty increased with import penetration (Castilho, 2012). 3. The unemployment caused by the globalization It is argued in the essay the economic growth of companies has produced unemployment, poverty and precariousness of the workers by the reorganization of the economy process, namely, the production, circulation and consumption of goods.With that rearrangement is the reorganization of wo rk force and destruction of small and medium companies, which causes an excess of workforce that is disposable and precarious treatments for them. Inevitably, the migration for work becomes a nightmare for those without a job. It is indicated that the jobless growth has been made in the recent decades by the globalization of labor market, as the structure of economy has undergone a great change, which is indicated in the essay, as the workforce for agriculture has shrunk, and the service tertiary industry has greatly expanded.So the traditional jobs are reduced while new kinds of jobs have been created in the process, but they are not made for the indigenous people due to the cultural and educational factors. The unemployment indicated by Marcos is categorized as the structural unemployment, which is caused by the restructuring of the global economy and the emergence of global labor market due to the technology revolution (Overbeek, 2003).The globalization is characterized as a stag e of intensified commoditization in the global economy, where the globalization of labor markets is manifested. It is argued by Overbeek (2003) that this structural transformation is accompanied by the emergence of global neo-liberalism, as ideological orientation is permeated by the hegemonic concept of control. The competitiveness has become a key imperative and caused a massive shedding for the labor force, especially in the time of recession and economy crisis.The labor market reforms carried out in the 1990s were seen as one of the spear points of capitalist restructuring, not only by national governments and by international organizations, but also by business pressure groups. And in this process, unemployment has been defined as a trouble of individual employability and personal ability, rather than a result of the economy cycle. The recent global economy slowdown may produce a reduction of employment, and a re-alignment of labor force may be issued, which would produce a red istributive labor. 4. The role of the government in the globalization processMarcos declares that with down fall the national market, the material base of the state are dissipated by the power of free commercial markets, and the governments have been reduced to the economy managers and are commanded or teleconmmanded by the mega-enterprises, and the rights and interests of the citizens could not be protected. Not only the material bases of the states are destroyed, but also the history and culture of nations. This may be not true for all the countries that participate in global economy, as the national sovereign rights are not devoured in that degree.However, it is authentic that government policies are influenced by the major transnational commercial powers. There are various evidences for this argument. Rogowsk (2005) has studied the restraining of governmental policy by the capital mobility in the wave of globalization and neo-liberalism. With the progress of globalization, capit al flow faster and more easily between nations. In order to attract more investment, countries compete more actively and carry out capital-accommodating policies, while the local preferences or factor endowments are less regarded.It is controvertial whether the developing countries would benefit from the globaliziaiton when speculating the problem from different perspectives. Lindert & Williamson (2003) indicates that the countries that benefit most from the globalization are the developing countries that have adjusted their polices to make use of it, while those have not done that achieved the least. Besides the difference of effect on participants and non-participants, the impacts of different sources of globalization are also different. The influence of globalization on national economy depends on the position of the state in the global economy chain.The countries that merely provide natural and human resources are at the least significant end of the economy chain, while the deve loped countries with advantages in technology, capital and market enjoy most of the gains of the economy globaliziation. Without the development of national industry, the conditions of state could not be improved fundamentally and the growth is unsustainable. However, if the transformation and promotion of the national enterprises could be achieved in the globalization process, the country becomes a real beneficiary. The expeience of China is a good example of benefiting from globalization.While the Afircan and Ltain American countries undergo a slower progress and the economy mode has not been changed at root. The essential reason is the political independence of the state government. If the government fell to be the managers for the major transnational economy as stated in the essay, the state could not achieve a substantial development and industry transformation. And the independent government could also protect the history and culture of the state in the wave of globalization, ensuring the independence and integrity of the culture and achieving an advancement by the interaction with foreign cultures.

Iguana Facts

Iguana Facts There are over 30 species of iguanas which belong to the class Reptilia. Depending on the species, iguanas’ habitats range from swamps and lowlands to deserts and rainforests. Iguanas are organized into nine broader categories of species: the Galapagos marine iguanas, Fiji iguanas, Galapagos land iguanas, thorntail iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, rock iguanas, desert iguanas, green iguanas, and chuckwallas. Fast Facts Scientific Name: IguanidaeCommon Names: Common Iguana (for green iguana)Order: SquamataBasic Animal Group: ReptileSize: Up to 5 to 7 feet (green iguana) and as small as 5 to 39 inches (spiny-tailed iguana)Weight: Up to 30 pounds (blue iguana)Life Span: 4 to 40 years on average depending on speciesDiet: Fruits, flowers, leaves, insects, and snailsHabitat: Rainforests, lowlands, swamps, desertsPopulation: A small number of individuals to several hundred per hectare (green iguana)Conservation Status: Least Concern (green iguana), Endangered (Fiji iguanas), Critically Endangered (Fiji crested iguana)Fun Fact: Marine iguanas are excellent swimmers. Description Iguanas are cold-blooded, egg-laying animals and are some of the largest lizards found in the Americas. Their size, color, behavior, and unique adaptations vary depending on the species. Some, like the Fiji banded iguana, are bright green with white or light blue bands while others have dull colors.  Marine iguanas have black coloration to help warm their bodies after swimming in cold ocean waters. Iguana on a rock. Shikhei Goh / Getty Images The most abundant and well-known type of iguana is the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Their average size is 6.6 feet, and they weigh up to 11 pounds. Their green color helps camouflage them in undergrowth, and they have a row of spines on their body which function as defense. Habitat and Distribution Depending on the species, iguanas live in a variety of habitats including deserts, rocky regions, swamps, rainforests, and lowlands. Green iguanas are found throughout Mexico down to Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and southern Brazil. The iguana species inhabiting the Caribbean islands are collectively known as the rock iguanas. Desert iguanas are found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, while two genera of marine iguanas inhabit the Galapagos Islands. Diet and Behavior Most iguana species are herbivores, eating young leaves, fruits, and flowers. Some eat insects like the wax worm, while marine iguanas dive into the ocean to harvest algae from plants. Some species house bacteria in their digestive systems which allow them to ferment the plant material they eat. Green iguanas are omnivores when they are young but shift to almost entirely herbivorous diets as adults. Young green iguanas eat mostly insects and snails and shift to eating fruits, flowers, and leaves as adults. They have sharp teeth that allow them to shred leaves. Green iguanas also live high in the tree canopy and inhabit higher altitudes as they grow older. Another interesting fact about iguanas is that they can detach their tails when in danger and regrow them later. Fiji crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) on Viti Levu Island, Fiji. It is critically endangered species of iguana found on some Fijian islands. Donyanedomam / Getty Images Reproduction and Offspring Iguanas generally reach the age of sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years and can lay anywhere from 5 to 40 eggs per clutch depending on the species. For green iguanas, males establish mating pairs with females during the rainy season and leave the tree tops to fertilize the eggs during the beginning of the dry season. Most iguana species dig a burrow in sunny areas to lay their eggs inside and cover them. The ideal temperature range for incubation of these eggs is between 77 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. After 65 to 115 days, depending on the species, these young hatch at the same time. After digging out of their burrows, the newly hatched iguanas begin their lives on their own. Species Marine iguana feeding on an algae covered rock. Wildestanimal / Getty Images There are roughly 35 living species of iguanas. The most abundant species is the Common or Green iguana (Iguana iguana). Iguanas are grouped into 9 categories based on their habitats and adaptations: the Galapagos marine iguanas, Fiji iguanas, Galapagos land iguanas, thorntail iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, rock iguanas, desert iguanas, green iguanas, and chuckwallas. Threats The Fiji iguanas are an endangered species, with the Fiji crested iguana listed as critically endangered. The biggest factor in the decreasing numbers of Fiji iguanas are predation by feral cats (Felis catus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus) invasive species. Additionally, crested iguanas are critically endangered due to the rapid decrease in their habitat of dry healthy forests in the Fiji Islands. This habitat reduction is due to clearing, burning, and conversion of forests to farmlands. Conservation Status The green iguana is designated as least concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). All species of the Fiji iguanas group are designated as endangered according to the IUCN, with the Fiji crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) listed as critically endangered. Iguanas and Humans Green iguanas are the most common reptile pets in the U.S. However, because they are hard to care for, many of these pets die within the first year. In Central and South America, green iguanas are bred on farms and eaten by people. Their eggs are considered a delicacy, often referred to as the â€Å"chicken of the tree.† Sources Green Iguana. National Geographic, 2019, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/g/green-iguana/.Green Iguana Facts And Information. Seaworld Parks Entertainment, 2019, https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/reptiles/green-iguana/.Harlow, P., Fisher, R. Grant, T. â€Å"Brachylophus vitiensis†. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2012, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/2965/2791620.Iguana. San Diego Zoo, 2019, https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/iguana.Iguana Species. Iguana Specialist Group, 2019, iucn-isg.org/species/iguana-species/.Lewis, Robert. Iguana. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/animal/iguana-lizard-grouping.