New Science Building Mascot?

Submitted 4/13/2009 11:32:00 AM
By Regan Dean Testerman

Bruno, the green iguana, lives on the second floor of the Science Division building. 

He was donated to TCC, in April 2002, by Biology instructor Dr. Tim B. Keely, who raised him from the time he was a baby (see related story).

Now, Bruno has taken up residence in Building 29, aspiring to be the in-house mascot. This idea is supported by Science Lab Technician Lori Peterson and Lab Assistant Kimberly McIntosh.

Bruno lives in a terrarium, which simulates the natural environment of iguanas.  It contains a “tree” which he likes to climb on, some plants, and water. Contrary to what people may think, iguanas do not have prehensile tails; rather, they use their tail as a counter balance in climbing.

In the basement is his recreation area and what Kim McIntosh, a 5^th quarter TCC student, terms “Bruno TV.”  According to Kim, “Bruno will stare for as long as someone will hold him up to the TV.”

Actually, the “video” he is watching, see photograph on the left, is a freshwater aquarium of fish, including rockbass (Ambloplites rupestris), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), and an algae eater.  Two small fish, who are Bruno’s friends, come up to his face when he arrives.

Kim says that Bruno loves his daily baths and waits for them patiently.  He loves water. Baths are very important because they prevent infections, which could be detrimental to the iguana, and those who handle him, if they got out of hand.

Bruno is a goodwill ambassador for TCC.  Visitors enjoy his calm, reassuring presence, unlike the terrible images of large reptiles that often come to mind.  He educates visiting children, who are particularly intrigued by the sight of him walking along the ledge on the second floor of his building.

Mike Flodin, Dean of Sciences says he has “often jokingly referred to Bruno as the science department mascot.”  Now, the dean’s humorous title has caught on, and Bruno appears to be the de facto official mascot of his department and Building 29.

Iguanas are arboreal creatures, vegetarian by nature.  Bruno is a green iguana.  Also belonging to the genus Iguana is the Lesser Antillean iguana, which is endangered due to diminishing habitat, illegal hunting, and predation by non-native species. 

Its habitat is confined to the Lesser Antilles and surrounding areas.  Green Iguanas are not endangered.  In fact, there is an over-abundant supply in the pet markets. The most defining feature, which distinguishes green iguanas from their smaller cousins, is a large round scale near each ear. Unlike a snake, Bruno sheds his scales continuously, similar to human beings shedding their skin.

The Science Department invites you to come by and visit Bruno, but please don’t bang on his terrarium; that really irritates him.

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