Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Reptile
- Order
- Squamata
- Family
- Iguanidae
- Genus
- Iguana
Habitat
Green iguanas primarily inhabit tropical rainforests, riverbanks, and coastal areas in Central and South America, from Mexico to southern Brazil. They prefer environments with tall trees for basking and hiding, and they are also found in urban settings where introduced. These areas typically have high humidity and access to water.
Diet
Green iguanas are primarily folivores, feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits from plants like hibiscus and mango trees. They are diurnal feeders, often climbing trees to forage during the day and basking in the sun to aid digestion. In times of scarcity, they may consume insects or small amounts of animal matter.
Behavior
Green iguanas are primarily arboreal and solitary, spending most of their time in trees to avoid ground predators. They are diurnal, basking in the sun to regulate body temperature and becoming more active during warmer parts of the day. Males exhibit territorial behavior, defending areas with head bobbing and dewlap displays, especially during mating season.
Conservation Status
The green iguana is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but populations are declining in some areas due to habitat loss from deforestation and overhunting for the pet trade.