Common Name: Green Iguana Scientific Name: Iguana iguana
STATUS UNKNOWN Green Iguana Distribution: Central & South America
Habitat: Tropical Forest Height: 120 - 180cm Weight: 2.6 - 4kg Diet: Omnivorous
Green iguanas are green, but can be any colour ranging from bright green to a dull, grayish-green, they also have black stripes on their bodies. Their skin is rough and tough, so protecting them from cuts and scrapes, They also have a line of pointy scales along the iguana's back. Their tail can make up about half the body length. Iguanas have long fingers and claws to help them climb and grasp. They have an excellent sense of smell, hearing and great vision. Their green colour helps to camouflage them, but they can escape predators by leaping from trees into water, drops of 15m do them no harm. They can whip their tail to defend themselves and their tail can also ‘drop off’ and will distract their predators. Male and female iguanas can be distinguished by the differences in their scales. Males iguanas develop large dewlaps and spines on their head and back. They are much also larger than the females. They are threatened by habitat destruction, the pet trade and because they are killed for food. Green Iguanas are also an invasive species in Florida. They have escaped and been illegally released and now thrive along the coast. They are contributing to habitat destruction and threaten native species. Iguanas can also carry salmonella.