Some people like to cozy up on the couch with a furry dog or cat, but one Instagrammer has a different sort of snuggle buddy: an iguana named Buddy.
The green lizard has an Instagram account run by his "dad" Kristaps dedicated to documenting Buddy's daily doings. In a recent reel, Buddy the iguana is shown on his caretaker's lap, eyes closed, soaking up some pets. He's so relaxed that you can't tell whether he's awake or asleep.
Buddy and Kristaps have a significant following: 668,000 followers on Instagram and 2 million on TikTok. Fans are quick to chime in on posts and eager to watch as Buddy grows.
The cuddle post hit a sweet spot with a lot of followers. "So much love between two beautiful pure souls??" @meerkat0515 commented.
Iguanas are a common pet kept by people all over the world. They live a long life, especially in captivity (up to 20 years), are a ton of fun to observe, are easy to feed, and are generally low-maintenance. Iguanas are strict herbivores, so they eat a plant-based diet. Pet owners can feed them leaves, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, all fairly easily to obtain—not like with other reptiles, such as snakes or other lizards, that feed on live mice or crickets.
View this post on Instagram
Another reason iguanas make good pets is because they're diurnal, meaning they are awake during the daytime, unlike many reptiles, which are nocturnal.
Although Buddy may be the exception, it's generally not advised to stroke iguanas, especially for long durations, like in the Instagram post. This can lead to stress for the iguana, according to Pet Keen, and the iguana may become defensive and aggressive.
That certainly isn't the case for Buddy, who regularly begs for snuggles, according to the Instagram feed.
View this post on Instagram
The Spruce Pets, however, advises that as long as an iguana is handled well and often from a young age, it will tolerate touch. Buddy sure seems to enjoy it very much.
READ MORE: Watch: Baby Porcupine's Prickles Don't Stand In Way of Snuggles
