The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) is a large, herbivorous lizard widely known as the most common species of iguana. This reptile is native to tropical regions stretching from Central to South America, including many Caribbean islands. It spends most of its life in the forest canopy, often near water sources.
Overall Size and Physical Frame
The Green Iguana is one of the largest lizard species in the Americas, possessing a robust and powerful build that can be quite imposing in mature adults. A full-grown male can reach a total length of up to 6.6 feet, measured from the snout to the tip of the tail. The tail makes up a substantial portion of this measurement, often accounting for half the animal’s total length. While a typical adult male generally weighs around 8.8 to 17 pounds, some exceptionally large specimens have been recorded exceeding 20 pounds. Females are typically smaller and lighter than males, usually reaching about 5 feet in length and weighing between 6.6 and 12 pounds. Males possess a stockier frame and more pronounced jowls.
Defining Head and Neck Characteristics
The head of the iguana is broad and somewhat triangular, featuring a rounded snout and large, alert eyes that provide excellent vision for detecting motion at long distances. One of the most recognizable features is the prominent gular fold, or dewlap, a large, loose flap of skin hanging from the throat beneath the chin. This dewlap helps regulate body temperature by increasing surface area for heat exchange. It is also used extensively in social communication, extended and retracted during territorial displays, courtship rituals, and to intimidate rivals or predators. Running from the back of the neck down the spine is a row of elongated, keratinized scales known as the dorsal crest or spines. These spines are noticeably longer and thicker in males, serving as a dominance indicator.
Skin Texture and Color Variations
The iguana’s body is covered in rough, scaly skin that helps to retain moisture in its tropical environment. Although named the Green Iguana, the coloration can be highly variable and is influenced by age, geography, temperature, and mood. Hatchlings and juveniles typically display a vibrant emerald green color, which offers effective camouflage in the leafy canopy. As the animal matures, the color may shift to a more muted olive green, gray, or even a brownish hue. During the breeding season, mature males often exhibit bright color changes, acquiring patches of orange or gold as a visual signal of their fitness and readiness to mate.
Specialized Features of the Tail and Limbs
The tail is a specialized structure that is essential to the iguana’s mobility and defense. It is long, muscular, and whip-like, used with powerful strokes to propel the animal through water, as iguanas are skilled swimmers. On land, the tail serves as a counterbalance during climbing and can be lashed forcefully as a defensive weapon against potential threats. The four strong limbs are adapted for an arboreal lifestyle, ending in five digits equipped with sharp, curved claws. These claws allow the iguana to grip branches securely, making it an agile climber capable of navigating the dense forest canopy. They rarely descend to the ground except to lay eggs or change trees.