Green Iguana
Green Iguana
Iguana iguana
Reptilia
COMMON

Stats

Lifespan
10-20 yrs
Size
Large
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Social
Solitary
Biome
Tropical rainforest
Range
Central and South America
Movement
Climbing
Breeding
Egg-laying
Defense
Camouflage
Status
Common

About

A large arboreal lizard native to Central and South America, the green iguana sports a prominent dewlap and a row of dorsal spines. It has a third 'parietal' eye on top of its head — a photoreceptive organ that detects shifts in light and shadow.

Life cycle

  1. 1.
    hatchling
    A miniature lizard cuts itself free from its egg and starts hunting tiny insects within days.
  2. 2.
    juvenile
    A juvenile sheds repeatedly as it grows, often duller-colored than adults and quick to dart for cover.
  3. 3.
    adult
    Fully grown with adult coloration and size.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Iguanidae
Genus
Iguana
Species
Iguana iguana