Green Iguana

Common Name: Iguana - Green
Scientific Name: Iguana iguana
Group: Iguanids
Origin: South America
Relative Size: Larger Than Average (as compared to other lizards)
Average Lifespan: 13 year(s)
Compatibility: Average (as compared to other lizards)
Category: Reptiles » Lizards

Green iguanas are diurnal and arboreal and often found near water.Agile climbers, iguanas can fall up to 50 feet and land unhurt (iguanas use their hind leg claws to "hook" leaves, branches, or anything in a "clasping" motion to break a fall). During cold, wet weather, Green iguanas prefer to stay on the ground for greater warmth. When swimming an iguana remains submerged and lets its four legs hang limply against its side and propels itself through the water with powerful tail strokes.Because of the Green iguana'sGreen iguanas are diurnal and arboreal and often found near water.Agile climbers, iguanas can fall up to 50 feet and land unhurt (iguanas use their hind leg claws to "hook" leaves, branches, or anything in a "clasping" motion to break a fall). During cold, wet weather, Green iguanas prefer popularity in the pet trade and as a food source in Latin America, they are listed on the CITES Appendix II, which means that while they are not an endangered species, "their trade must be green color, has black stripes. Green iguanas, not surprisingly, are green in color, but can be found in many different shade ranging from bright green, to a dull, grayish-green. Their skin is rough, with a set of pointy scales along the iguana's back. Green iguanas have long fingers and controlled so as to not harm the species in the future". Full-grown green iguanas are usually between four and six feet, although they have been known to grow up to seven feet long. This includes the tail, however, which can make up about half the body length and, in addition to itsclaws to help them climb and grasp.The green iguana is found over a large geographic area, from Mexico to southern Brazil and Paraguay, as well as on the Caribbean Islands.While it is not generally an endangered animal in some places, like Belize, it is because of hunting. Large females are the favorite individuals to harvest. Unfortunately, these same individuals are critical to the reproductive success of the species. As a food source, the green iguana is also known as the "Bamboo Chicken".Iguanas are diurnal, meaning that they are awake during the day. They are also cold-blooded, which means they do not produce their own body heat. In other words, if it is cold, the iguana is cold too. So to stay warm, green iguanas bask in the sun, lying on warm rocks as they soak up the sun's heat.Green iguanas tend to live alone, but may be seen in groups occasionally in good sunny basking spots. Iguanas lay many eggs at a time (about 50), in holes inthe ground called burrows. They also dig pretend burrows to confuse any animals that may be looking for eggs to eat. After female iguanas lay the eggs, they leave them and do not return. When iguana babies hatch, they grow up without care from their parents. Green iguanas lay many eggs, but only 3-10 babies actually survive to be adults. It takes green iguana eggs about 8-10 weeks to hatch, then takes baby iguanas about 2 years to become mature adults.Green iguanas are omnivorous, so they eat both plants and meat. They tend to eat mostly plants, though, especially leaves and fruits. Sometimes green iguanas (especially young ones) will eat eggs, insects, and small vertebrates.