Description

• Iguana iguana is a large arboreal lizard in the family Iguanidae, commonly called the green iguana. Adults have a robust body, long muscular tail, strong limbs, a prominent dorsal crest, large cheek scales, and a distinctive throat fan. Despite its common name, adults may be green, grey, brown, or orange-brown, often with darker banding or mottling; males are generally larger and more heavily crested than females.

Range

• Iguana iguana is native to tropical Central and South America and the Lesser Antilles, with populations extending northward into southern Mexico. It occurs along Mexico's Pacific coast, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

• It occupies tropical forest, dry forest, woodland, mangroves, river margins, wetlands, plantations, gardens, and disturbed areas. It is strongly arboreal and is commonly seen basking on branches, rocks, fences, and other elevated sites near water, while also descending to the ground to forage.

Diet

• Iguana iguana is primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, shoots, and fruits from a wide variety of plants. Young iguanas consume proportionally more animal matter, including insects and other small invertebrates, but plant material becomes increasingly dominant with age.