Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Green iguana

Iguana iguana

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The green iguana is a large tree-climbing lizard of tropical America. It browses vegetation and often uses nearby water to escape danger.

Iguana iguana

Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Tropical forests of Central and South America and nearby islands, with introduced populations outside its native range.
Habitat
Rainforest
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Leaves, shoots, fruit and other plant material.

Classification

Common name
Green iguana
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Iguana iguana
Taxon rank
species
Family
Iguanidae
Genus
Iguana
Source classification
Squamata

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Length
Up to 2 m head to tail

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • It is an accomplished swimmer.
  • Most of its food comes from plants.
  • The throat flap is called a dewlap.

Habitat and range

Tropical forests of Central and South America and nearby islands, with introduced populations outside its native range.

Appearance and adaptations

A throat flap and a ridge of pointed scales are prominent features. The long tail helps with balance and swimming.

Diet and behaviour

It basks in trees and feeds mainly on plants. Individuals can dive into water when threatened, while females come to the ground to nest.

Sources

Explore reptiles

Browse all reptiles