Hands Down Animals · Printable fact sheet
Iguana
Iguanidae
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Iguanidae |
|---|---|
| Size | Average 0.4–1.2 meters; largest up to 2 meters long |
| Weight | Average 2–4 kg; largest up to 13 kg |
| Lifespan | 10–20 years (in the wild), up to 25 years (captivity) |
| Diet | Primarily herbivores – leaves, flowers, fruits; some eat insects when young. |
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical rainforests, Riparian zones (near rivers and streams), Coastal… |
| Where it lives | Central America, South America, Caribbean Islands, Florida |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable (varies by species) |
| Population | Unknown; varies by species |
| Top speed | 32 km/h |
| Family | Iguanidae |
About the iguana
Iguanas are large lizards of the Americas and a few Pacific islands, and the green iguana of Central and South America grows to around 1.5 metres, most of it tail, and lives in trees over water, dropping in to escape when threatened. Adults eat mainly leaves, flowers and fruit. The marine iguana of the Galápagos is the only lizard that feeds in the sea, grazing algae on the rocks and sneezing out the salt afterwards; it is listed as Vulnerable, and several Caribbean rock iguanas are Critically Endangered.
Five things to know
- Iguanas are one of the largest and most visually striking lizards in the Americas and Pacific islands.
- The marine iguana of the Galápagos is the only lizard in the world adapted to forage in the sea.
- Iguanas can drop their tails to escape predators—a process called autotomy.
- Many iguanas are herbivores and have specialized teeth and digestive systems for eating leaves and fruit.
- Bright green iguanas are popular pets, but in some places they are invasive.
Homeschool unit: Animals homeschool guide — Habitats, adaptations and food chains as a graded unit, with the iguana as one of its worked examples.