Green Iguana

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Ordo: Squamata

Family: Iguanidae

Genus: Iguana

Iguana iguana 

Habitat & Distribution :  South & Central America

Diet : Leaves, fruits, flowers

Size : 1,5 m

Lifespan : 15 years

Description

Green Iguanas are large lizards, the largest among the Iguanidae family, and can grow up to 1,7 m in length. Its body is covered by smooth scales. Despite its name, the green Iguanas can actually have different body colors, from green, lavender, black, blue, yellow, orange to brick red; they vary geographically and sometimes by age. There is a row of spines on its back meant for protection. It has a long, thick and strong tail with dark stripes. Under its chin, it has a flap of folded skin called the dewlap, used to regulate its body temperature. It also has long, sharp claws to grasp on tree branches.

Behavior

Iguanas are arboreal and live in canopies or on top of trees near water. They are excellent climbers, utilizing sharp claws and long tails for balance in the trees. 

When frightened by predators, they can try to dive into the water and swim away, using strong tail strokes to propel their bodies. If the predator is still hot on their trail, the iguanas may hiss and show its dewlap as an intimidation attempt. When cornered, iguanas can strike their opponent with their tail or use their claws for defense, they can also shed the tail to distract the predators as they flee.

Reproduction

They reproduce annually during the dry season to ensure hatchlings arrive when food is plentiful. Females lay clutches of 10–70+ leathery eggs in deep, sandy burrows, which incubate for 90–120 days without parental care. 

Communication & Perception

 They communicate primarily through complex, non-vocal, and visual body language, including head-bobbing, chin flap extensions, and stylized body movements. They use these signals to display territory, courtship, aggression, or submission, often in response to both other iguanas and their environment. 

Predator(s)

 Crocodiles, birds of prey 

Conservation Status : 

• Least Concern (IUCN Red List; 2020)

• Appendix II (CITES; 2022)