Green Iguana

Green, or common, iguanas are among the largest lizards in the Americas, averaging around 6.5 feet (2 meters) long and weighing about 11 pounds (5 kilograms).

They are also among the most popular reptile pets in the United States, despite being quite difficult to care for properly. In fact, most captive iguanas die within the first year, and many are either turned loose by their owners or given to reptile rescue groups.

The green iguana’s extensive range comprises the rain forests of northern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and southern Brazil. They spend most of their lives in the canopy, descending only infrequently to mate, lay eggs, or change trees.

Primarily herbivores, iguanas are active during the day, feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruit. They generally live near water and are excellent swimmers. If threatened, they will leap from a branch, often from great heights, and escape with a splash to the water below. They are also tough enough to land on solid ground from as high as 40 feet (12 meters) and survive.

Iguanas' stout build gives them a clumsy look, but they are fast and agile on land. They have strong jaws with razor-sharp teeth and sharp tails, which make up half their body length and can be used as whips to drive off predators. They can also detach their tails if caught and will grow another without permanent damage

Fairchild Tropical Garden has a large population of green iguanas, most likely escapees and releasees from the pet trade and their descendants. We saw a dozen large adults in a few hours, nearly all in pairs. Most of them would crash off into the vegetation or dive into the water when people got anywhere near, but this fellow posed nicely for me.

This lovely green Christmas iguana was lounging on a small dock in one of the numerous canals that criss-cross south Florida to increase the home values. It's missing the foot and foreleg on its front left leg. When it finally grew tired of me sneaking ever closer in the quest for photos, it calmly slipped over the edge of the dock, softly splashing into the water.

Fast Facts

Type:

Reptile

Diet:

Herbivore

Average life span in the wild:

20 years

Size:

6.6 ft (2 m)

Weight:

11 lbs (5 kg)

Did you know?

In Central America, where iguana meat is frequently consumed, iguanas are referred to as "bamboo chicken" or "chicken of the trees."

Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) 

Are you tired of seeing iguanas at Fairchild Tropical Garden yet? I'm not.

The one at top was doing its best Boyd's Forest Dragon imitation, slowly rotating to hide behind the branch it was clinging to as I got closer.

The one below was in full macho male mode, bobbing its head and strutting about like he owned the place.