Taxonomic name: Iguana iguana (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms: Iguana rhinolopha
Common names: common iguana (English), gallina de palo (Spanish), green iguana (English), grön leguan (Swedish), iguana verde (Spanish), iguane commun (French), iguane vert (French)
Organism type: reptile The Iguana iguana (green iguana) is native to tropical parts of Latin America and grows to around 1.5m in length and 4 to 5kgs in weight. It is associated with warm coastal regions, low elevations and waterways, especially where trees extend over water. It inhabits mangrove forests and saltwater habitats, but requires access to fresh water. Popular as pets throughout America and Europe, their owners often do not realise the lizard's space requirements and release them into urban areas. Iguana iguana is reported as an exotic pest in Puerto Rico. It also occurs in high concentrations in urban areas of southern Florida, where it uses the burrows of the Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) and consumes and defecates the fruits of invasive plants, thereby acting as a potential dispersal agent. It has been cited as the source of a number of laboratory-confirmed cases of human salmonellosis and is a hazard to some airport operations. Description
Iguana iguana (green iguanas) grow to around 1.5m in length and 4 to 5kgs in weight (Engeman Smith and Constantin 2005). Occurs in:
coastland, estuarine habitats, riparian zones, water courses, wetlands Habitat description
In Florida the Iguana iguana (green iguana) is associated with warm coastal regions free of frost. They are often found associated with waterways, such as bays, canals, ponds and ditches, and especially areas where trees extend over water. They also inhabit mangrove forests and saltwater habitats (Meshaka Bartlett and Smith 2004). General impacts
Iguana iguana (green iguana) in its introduced range in Florida provides prey for the domestic dog (Canis familiaris; Meshaka et al. 2004, in McKie et al 2005.), the yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea; Engeman et al. In press, in McKie et al 2005.) and the Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana McKie et al 2005.). There is fear that iguanas will disrupt native bird nests or even destroy native bird nestlings and eggs (McKie et al 2005.).
The keeping of reptiles as pets has been cited as the source of a number of laboratory-confirmed cases of human salmonellosis associated with exposure to exotic pets including iguanas (Woodward Khakhria and Johnson 1997).
The green iguana is also a hazard to planes and operations at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico (Engeman Smith and Constantin 2005). Uses
Iguana iguana (green iguanas) make popular pets throughout America and Europe. They are known for their docile, attractive and interesting traits (Meshaka Bartlett and Smith 2004).
Throughout Central America, iguanid lizards (Iguana iguana and Ctenosaura similis) are captured by professional lizard hunters and sold at local markets (Fitch et al. 1982, in Klemens and Thorbjarnarson 1995). There is even a significant trade of lizards across borders from the Honduras and Guatemala to El Salvador. Iguanas and their eggs are used both as food and for medicinal purposes, depending on the region. In some cultures iguana eggs are believed to be aphrodisiacs (Werner 1991, in Klemens and Thorbjarnarson 1995). The green iguana has been managed on a sustained-yield basis in Panama (one of the few instances of a successful sustainable project for reptiles). The iguana's forested habitat is being protected and it provides a dependable, sustainable source of protein for rural inhabitants (Werner 1991, in Klemens and Thorbjarnarson 1995). Geographical range
Native range: Iguana iguana (green iguana) has a wide native range and is found at low elevations on the mainland from Sinaloa, Mexico south to Ecuador on the Pacific versant and Veracruz, Mexico to southern Brazil on the Atlantic versant, as well as on some Central and South American coastal islands and throughout the Lesser Antilles (Townsend Krysko and Enge 2003).
Known introduced range: In the United States the green iguana has been introduced in southern Florida and Hawaii (McKeown 1996, in Townsend Krysko and Enge 2003). It has also been reported as an exotic pest in Puerto Rico (Engeman Smith and Constantin 2005). Introduction pathways to new locations
Pet/aquarium trade: Tens of thousands of baby green iguanas are introduced into the state of Florida from Latin America for the pet trade every year (Meshaka Bartlett and Smith 2004). In 1995 over 1.14 million Iguana iguana were imported into the United States, representing about 45% of all reptilian imports (Hoover 1998, in Townsend Krysko and Enge 2003). In France lizards (in particular I. iguana, CITES Annex I) account for more than half of the overall reptile imports (Reptile trade in the EU 2003). I. iguana is a CITES-listed species. Please see CITES-species database. Nutrition
Iguana iguana (green iguana) is herbivorous (Meshaka Bartlett and Smith 2004). When keeping an iguana as a pet it is recommended to feed it leafy greens, flowers and fruits. The green iguana particularly likes hibiscus leaves and flowers (Lee Kuen 2004). The green iguana depends on a microbial fermentation system in the hindgut to degrade plant fibre. Reproduction
Attaining maturity may take three to four years but female Iguana iguana (green iguana) can produce large clutches for many years (Meshaka Bartlett and Smith 2004). Lifecycle stages
On Key Biscayne, (Florida, USA) Iguana iguana (green iguana) nest in sandy areas, often with multiple females utilising a single small area. Most hatchlings appear during July and August (Townsend Krysko and Enge 2003).
Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
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Last Modified: Monday, 13 November 2006
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