The green iguana is a large, mostly herbivorous lizard native to Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean, though despite its name adults are often a duller olive, brown or greyish-green rather than bright green, with a row of spines running down the back and a large dewlap of skin beneath the chin. It lives mainly in trees near rivers and other water bodies, where it feeds on leaves, flowers and fruit, and it is an excellent swimmer, capable of dropping from high branches into water to escape predators. Green iguanas can grow to well over a metre in length including the tail, and they bask extensively in the sun to regulate their body temperature, as with all reptiles. The species has become popular in the exotic pet trade and has established large invasive populations in parts of Florida and other regions well outside its native range.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleInvasive or Introduced Species 3 Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceA large arboreal lizard, typically 1.2 to 1.7 m long including the tail, with a crest of backward pointing spines down the back and tail and a large dewlap under the throat used for temperature regulation and display. 1 Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Lake, Biomes Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Iguana iguana (Animal Diversity Web)
River, Biomes Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Iguana iguana (Animal Diversity Web)
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Iguana iguana (Animal Diversity Web)
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: Green Iguana
Additional Source Pantanal (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
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Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
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Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Green Iguana (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction, first sentence
The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana or the common green iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana.
Conservation section
the green iguana is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a mention of habitat depletion from development being a possible concern for green iguana populations in the future.
Description section
Green iguanas possess a row of spines along their backs and tails, which helps to protect them from predators. Their whip-like tails can be used to deliver painful strikes, and like many other lizards, when grabbed by the tail, iguanas can allow it to break, so they can escape and eventually regenerate a new one. In addition, iguanas have a well-developed dewlap, which helps regulate their body temperature.
Article text
The green iguana is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that international trade is regulated through the CITES permit system.
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. Green iguana (Wikipedia)
- highly invasive in many subtropical and tropical environments throughout the world
- commonly kept as a pet
View the Source4. NatureServe Explorer: Iguana iguana
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
Wikidata: Green Iguana
- Wikidata Q215376, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Iguana, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q205531 (Iguana)
View the SourceAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Iguana iguana (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyIn Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Habitat: Habitat Regions, Terrestrial Biomes
Habitat Regions tropical tropical terrestrial terrestrial ... Terrestrial Biomes forest forest rainforest rainforest
In Biome: River, Habitat: Aquatic Biomes
Aquatic Biomes lakes and ponds rivers and streams temporary pools coastal coastal brackish water brackish water
In Biome: Lake, Habitat: Aquatic Biomes
Aquatic Biomes lakes and ponds rivers and streams temporary pools coastal coastal brackish water brackish water
View the Source Pantanal (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem: Pantanal, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Pantanal, Article text
In addition to the caiman, some of the reptiles that inhabit the Pantanal are the yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), the gold tegu (Tupinambis teguixin), the red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria), the green iguana (Iguana iguana), and the venomous Pantanal coral snake (Micrurus tricolor).
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