Green iguanas are large, herbivorous lizards, often reaching five feet long, common in warm climates like South Florida and popular as pets. While they typically avoid human contact and are not aggressive, they can bite. A bite is generally a defensive reaction or situational response, not an unprovoked attack. Understanding these motivations is important for safely coexisting with these reptiles.
The Primary Reasons Iguanas Bite
Iguana bites are almost always rooted in stress or miscommunication, not predatory intent. The most frequent scenario is a defensive reaction when the animal feels cornered, threatened, or handled roughly. As a prey animal, the iguana’s instinct is to escape, and biting is a last-resort measure when escape is not possible.
Large male iguanas often display territorial aggression, especially during the breeding season toward the end of summer. A person who inadvertently enters a male’s perceived territory may be viewed as a threat or a rival, prompting a confrontational response. For pet iguanas, a common cause is mistaken identity. When iguanas are hand-fed, they may associate human fingers with food, leading to an accidental bite.
Before biting, iguanas typically display clear warning signs of agitation. These include standing up on all four legs, bobbing the head, drawing a deep breath to appear larger, and lowering the dewlap (the flap of skin beneath the chin). If these cues are ignored, the iguana may resort to a powerful tail whip before biting.
What Does an Iguana Bite Feel Like and How Serious Is It?
An iguana bite can be serious due to the lizard’s specialized dental structure and powerful jaw muscles. Iguanas possess numerous small, sharp, serrated, diamond-shaped teeth designed for tearing through tough plant matter. The resulting injury is often a deep, jagged laceration or tearing wound, rather than a simple puncture, and frequently requires stitches.
The primary medical concern following a bite that breaks the skin is the risk of bacterial infection. Iguanas, like many reptiles, can carry Salmonella bacteria, which transfers into the wound. Iguanas are also pleurodonts, meaning their loosely attached teeth can easily break off and become embedded in the bite wound, increasing the chance of infection.
Any bite that breaks the skin requires immediate and thorough wound care, starting with vigorous cleaning using hot, soapy water. Medical attention is strongly recommended to assess the wound depth, remove any embedded tooth fragments, and determine the need for stitches, antibiotics, or a tetanus shot. Even if the bite seems minor, monitoring for signs of infection like increased redness, swelling, or warmth is necessary.
Preventing Bites and Safe Interaction
Preventing an iguana bite relies on recognizing and respecting the animal’s natural behavior and warning signals. For those encountering wild iguanas, maintain a safe distance and never attempt to corner or capture one. Avoid feeding wild iguanas, as this encourages them to associate humans with food and increases the risk of mistaken-identity bites.
For pet owners, proper handling is essential to avoid provoking a defensive bite. This involves supporting the iguana’s entire body and avoiding sudden, jarring movements that may cause fear. Be aware of the territorial nature of large males, especially during the breeding season, and give them a wide berth. Recognizing and immediately responding to warning signs like hissing, tail twitching, or head bobbing by backing away can de-escalate a situation.