# Green Iguana (*Iguana iguana*) The Green Iguana is a large, green lizard that loves to climb trees. It has a long tail and sharp claws. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 84 - **Habitat:** Tropical rainforests. - **Also known as:** Common Iguana, Iguana ![Green Iguana](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771438760/objects/5619.jpg) ## Appearance The Green Iguana is a large lizard primarily vibrant green, with a distinctive dewlap under its chin and a row of spines along its back. It has dark banding on its tail and powerful claws, differing from many lizards by its prominent and serrated dorsal crest. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Iguanidae - **Genus:** Iguana ## Interesting facts - Green Iguanas often plunge from high trees into water to escape predators! - Male iguanas use their large throat dewlap to appear bigger and attract mates! - They possess tiny, serrated teeth perfect for snipping through tough leaves and plants! - Young iguanas sometimes eat adult droppings to get helpful gut bacteria! ## Special abilities - **Agile Climbers:** Green Iguanas have sharp claws and strong limbs, allowing them to climb high into trees for food and safety. - **Tail Release:** Green Iguanas can detach their tail if grabbed by a predator; it wiggles to distract while the iguana escapes. - **Third Eye Vision:** Green Iguanas have a light-sensing 'third eye' on their head, which detects shadows, warning them of predators from above. - **Salt Sneeze:** Green Iguanas can sneeze out excess salt from their bodies through special glands, keeping them healthy on a plant diet. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 150-180 cm - **Weight:** 4-8 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 20-71 - **Incubation:** 65-115 days ## Diet & Feeding Green iguanas munch on leaves, flowers, and fruits, sometimes even insects as juveniles. - **Age differences:** Juveniles are more omnivorous, eating insects and small invertebrates, gradually becoming entirely herbivorous as adults. - **Primary Foods:** Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, Young shoots, Occasional insects - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Harpy Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harpy-eagle) (*Harpia harpyja*) — Hunted by this powerful bird in its rainforest home. - **Eaten by:** Boa Constrictor (*Boa constrictor*) — Preyed upon by this large snake, especially juveniles. - **Eats:** White Fig (*Ficus insipida*) — Consumes the leaves and fruits of this common fig tree. - **Depends on:** Kapok Tree (*Ceiba pentandra*) — Relies on large canopy trees for shelter and sun basking. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Green Iguana? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Green Iguana? 150-180 cm ### How much does Green Iguana weigh? 4-8 kg ### How long does Green Iguana live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Green Iguana move? 10 km/h ### What does Green Iguana eat? Green iguanas munch on leaves, flowers, and fruits, sometimes even insects as juveniles. ### How fast can Green Iguana swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Green Iguana usually found? Tropical rainforests. ## Where to spot - [Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Flamingo Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/flamingo-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Key West Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Sierra Safari Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-safari-zoo) — Nevada, US · Zoo - [Naples Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naples-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/panaewa-rainforest-zoo) — Hawaii, US · Zoo [View all places to see Green Iguana](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/green-iguana) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Green Iguana: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-iguana)