- It is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard
- The green iguana’s extensive range comprises the rainforests of northern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and southern Brazil
- It grows to 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 meters (6.6 ft). Common Iguana weights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg).
- The best-known Iguana species is the common or green, iguana
- The common iguana is green with dark bands that form rings on the tail; females are greyish green and about half the weight of males
- Food of the common iguana consists largely of leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits of fig trees
- They generally live near water and are excellent swimmers.
- For over 90 percent of the time, green iguanas are inactive and often when they do move, they travel slowly
- Their tail has weakened vertebrae so the iguana can break free and escape if caught by the tail.
- Green iguanas are a social species who spend most of their time gathered in groups
- If cornered by a threat, the green iguana will extend and display the dewlap under its neck, stiffen and puff up its body, hiss, and bob its head at the aggressor
- In captivity, Green iguanas can reach 20 years of age.
