The Green Iguana
The Green iguana is well known in Costa Rica because of its high social levels and
beautiful colors. It is not a highly feared animal like so many snakes and other reptiles in Costa
Rica. Even in it is endangered; it is still easy to find one in Costa Rica.
The Green iguana lives in Mexico/Central America in a lowland rainforest area near
water. These iguanas are now found wild in Florida because they were introduced and the
climate is correct so they can live happily there. This lizard is in the iguana family (duh).
Diet: These lizards are primarily herbivorous. They eat flowers and fruit, over 100 different
species of plant consist in their diet. One of their favorite fruits is the wild plum.
As vegetarians it is hard to get an essential microflora
into their digestive system. Many young iguanas eat
the feces (yes, they eat poop) of the older iguanas.
Iguanas have been seen eating bird eggs, fish, and mice
but the effort to catch these sometimes is not worth it
when the iguana can just eat the plants nearby.
Wild
plum
Appearance: Despite the name “green” iguana, these lizards come in a wide variety of
colorations and patterns (though relatively pattern less). The iguana can come in green, blue,
black, brown, orange, and even pink! It is 1.5 meters long, and has a row of tall, and normally
very imperfect, spines from its head to tail, giving it a very dinosaur like appearance. The lizards
tail can drop off, like many lizards, so don’t worry if you see an iguana without a tail! Iguanas
also have a large dewlap. A dewlap is a body part possessed by many lizards, the iguana species
have a very profound dewlap compared to other lizards. The dewlap is a flap of skin underneath
the head that helps regulate their body temperature.
Tall, uneven, spine row.
A very large dewlap.
Reproduction: In October males establish their territory. This is just before their breeding
season. To defend their territory they wrestle with other males, and the winner of the match
gets the territory, and its females. Each territory normally has 4 females, and the male courts all
four of the females in one season. During this season, the male’s dewlap is extended, and head
bobbing is a normal display. The color of the iguana changes also.
Mid November is normally when the mating starts, and it takes about six weeks. The
females lay their eggs and bury them about one foot below the surface. Sometimes multiple
females share the same nest. This is called communal nesting.
Eggs clutches contain anywhere from 20-70 eggs, which incubate from 65-115 days. This
means hatching normally occurs in April/June. Hatchlings are 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. The
young iguanas normally stick together. It takes 3 years to reach maturity.
Predators: Hawks are the main predators of these lizards. When threatened by a predator, the
iguana extends its dewlap to appear larger and less of an easy catch to the prey. Other animals
that prey on iguanas are large fish (such as tiger sharks), large reptiles (snakes), and sometimes
even large numbers of rodents can kill an iguana.
Habitat: The Green iguana spends most o its life in the forest canopies at about 65-100 feet
above the ground. They come down when they need to warm up (such as when it is cool or
raining), and can survive a 50 foot fall from the canopy to the ground unscathed.
Range: This iguana was introduced to Florida, so they can be found there. Green iguanas are
native to the Caribbean islands and ranging from Mexico all the way to Brazil. Mainly found on
the pacific and Caribbean coast.
Sites used:
http://costarica.com/wildlife/green-iguanas/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Iguana