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Green Iguana
Iguana iguana
Also called American iguana, Common green iguana, Gallina de palo (Spanish nickname)
From The Americas, from Mexico through Central America to southern Brazil and Paraguay, and many Caribbean islands. Introduced populations live in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Texas and parts of Asia and the Pacific.12
At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia: males around 4 kg, females 1.2-3 kg, with very large individuals topping 8 kg
Looks how to spot one
Large tree-dwelling lizard with dewlap and dorsal crest
A big, long-tailed lizard with a row of soft spines along its back and tail and a large dewlap under the chin used for signalling and temperature control. On top of its head sits a small light-sensitive 'third eye' (parietal eye). Its leaf-shaped, finely serrated teeth are built for shredding plants.1
Personality what they are like
Intelligent and engaging, and can become genuinely affectionate, but the bond takes months of patient, gentle handling. Support the body from below and avoid sudden moves. Males can become more territorial during the breeding season.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Diurnal and arboreal, spending most time high up. Enjoys supervised free-roam time outside the enclosure for exercise. A strong swimmer in the wild.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Mist twice a day or use an automatic system. Change loose substrate about monthly. Taming is an ongoing, daily process.2
Home where they are happiest
An adult needs at least about 3 x 1.5 x 1.8 m (10 x 5 x 6 ft), larger if possible; juveniles can start in about 120 x 60 x 120 cm. Basking surface around 50 C (120 F), air 24-31 C, nights 23-28 C. Humidity 60-80% by day, up to 100% at night. Strong UVB and bright lighting for 12-13 hours.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Herbivore. Roughly 60% dark leafy greens (collards, dandelion, turnip and mustard greens), 30% vegetables (squash, peppers, green beans) and 10% fruit, offered daily with a supplement.21
Company who they like around
Can live alone or in groups if the enclosure is scaled up, but adult males should not share space.2
The story where it all began
Carl Linnaeus described the green iguana in 1758. People in Central and South America have eaten it for around 7,000 years, giving rise to the nickname 'chicken of the trees'. It later became one of the most traded reptiles in the world pet market.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It can drop about 15 m from a tree to the ground and land unharmed.1
- 2
It swims by tucking its legs against its body and sweeping its tail from side to side.1
- 3
Its parietal 'third eye' on top of the head senses changes in light and helps it spot shadows from above.1
- 4
Despite the name, populations come in many colours, from bluish in Peru to orange in Mexico.1
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern1
- CITES
- Appendix II1
Popularity About 800,000 green iguanas were imported into the US in 19951
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Green Iguana. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh waterevery day
- Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
- SupplementsCalcium and vitamin dusting as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- UVB bulb changeMany UVB bulbs fade before they stop glowing, follow the maker's adviceevery 6 months
- Weigh inevery month
- Full cleanevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Green iguana - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, weight, body, colours, behaviour, diet, history, IUCN, CITES, fun facts
- Green Iguana Care Sheet - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for care, habitat, diet, social needs, size, lifespan, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.