The Green Iguana Can Grow up to 7 Feet Long

If you live in Florida, you're used to seeing big buddies like this lounging in and near trees. Joe Regan / Getty Images

The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is one of the most recognizable lizards in the world. The species is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America and some of the Caribbean islands. They also exist in Florida and Hawaii, though they are seen as invasive species in those states because they eat their native plants.

Wild green iguanas thrive in tropical rainforests, mangroves and even dry forests, where they spend their days basking in the sun, munching on leaves and digging burrows.

They are highly arboreal, spending most of their time high in the treetops to avoid ground predators. However, they are excellent swimmers and will often dive into water to escape threats.

What Do Green Iguanas Look Like?

The common green iguana can grow up to 5 or 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 meters) long, including its whip-like tail. Its vibrant green color helps it blend into leafy environments, although some iguanas may show shades of blue, orange or yellow depending on their age and region.

Young iguanas are smaller and brighter in color, making them harder to spot in dense vegetation.

Adult iguanas have a prominent dewlap under their chin and spines along their back and tail. They have strong limbs, long claws and specialized toes designed for climbing trees.

Most green iguanas also have excellent long-distance vision and sharp color vision. And they have a third eye (called the parietal eye) on top of their head that helps them detect predators from above.

What Are The Social Habits of Green Iguanas?

Young green iguanas are more social, especially in their first year of life, often sticking together for added protection from predators. However, as they grow into wild adult green iguanas, they become fiercely independent.

Adult iguanas only interact during the mating season, where they can be seen in groups when basking or feeding in the same area.

Male green iguanas tend to establish territories, which they defend by bobbing their heads, displaying their dewlaps and occasionally engaging in physical combat. These territorial displays can often deter rivals without the need for a fight.

Green iguana populations expanded beyond their native range, and in places like Florida and Hawaii, these wild iguanas have adapted to urban environments. There, you may find a green iguana basking on a sidewalk or lounging near canals.

What Do Green Iguanas Eat?

Juvenile iguanas may occasionally eat insects, but adult green iguanas stick to a strictly plant-based diet, mainly of leaves, flowers and fruit. This makes them essential for seed dispersal in their habitats, as they pass seeds through their digestive systems.

Are Green Iguanas at Risk of Becoming Endangered?

While green iguanas are not yet vulnerable to becoming endangered, habitat destruction and the pet trade threaten some local populations. Also, eating green iguanas is part of traditional diets in some areas, which further impacts their numbers.

Wildlife conservation efforts aim to balance the preservation of green iguana habitats in Central and South America while addressing their negative impacts in non-native regions.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.