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EXPLORE > ANIMALS > REPTILES
Iguana iguana
The common iguana (often called the green iguana) is a popular animal with exotic pet owners due to their striking colors, physical features and mild temperament.
Depending on the variety of iguana, their colors can vary from bright green to lavender to pink. The lizard has long legs and toes which are well adapted for climbing. They can also be easily identified by a row of spines that runs from the top of the head down to the tail. The tail is long and slender and often ringed with black and white bands.
An herbivore, the animal normally lives in the treetops near water. Iguanas have excellent vision, including a unique adaptation called parietal eye which is located on the top of the head. This specially adapted organ acts as a photoreceptor and may help the lizard identify predators, especially birds that will attack from above. When threatened, the iguana will often leap from the tree branches to the ground or water below. Once in the water, they are powerful and agile swimmers who can quickly escape danger.
Range and Habitat
This reptile has an extremely wide range, covering large parts of South America and the islands of the Caribbean. In the United States, they can be found living in a feral state in southern Florida (including the Florida Keys) west to Texas. These populations are probably the result of being either released or escaping from careless exotic pet owners. A similar situation exists in this area with the Burmese python. Under these circumstances, both the iguana and the python are considered invasive species.
Conservation Status
Common.
Iguana iguana
The common iguana (often called the green iguana) is a popular animal with exotic pet owners due to their striking colors, physical features and mild temperament.
Depending on the variety of iguana, their colors can vary from bright green to lavender to pink. The lizard has long legs and toes which are well adapted for climbing. They can also be easily identified by a row of spines that runs from the top of the head down to the tail. The tail is long and slender and often ringed with black and white bands.
An herbivore, the animal normally lives in the treetops near water. Iguanas have excellent vision, including a unique adaptation called parietal eye which is located on the top of the head. This specially adapted organ acts as a photoreceptor and may help the lizard identify predators, especially birds that will attack from above. When threatened, the iguana will often leap from the tree branches to the ground or water below. Once in the water, they are powerful and agile swimmers who can quickly escape danger.
Range and Habitat
This reptile has an extremely wide range, covering large parts of South America and the islands of the Caribbean. In the United States, they can be found living in a feral state in southern Florida (including the Florida Keys) west to Texas. These populations are probably the result of being either released or escaping from careless exotic pet owners. A similar situation exists in this area with the Burmese python. Under these circumstances, both the iguana and the python are considered invasive species.
Conservation Status
Common.
