The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) is a mid-sized American reptile featured in the Standard Edition of Planet Zoo.
Zoopedia Informaton[]
General[]
Population in the Wild: Unknown
The green iguana (or Iguana iguana) is a large species of lizard that lives throughout Central America, Northern South America and the Caribbean. It has a long tail with a serrated crest that goes from its head to the base of its spine, as well as muscular legs with long toes and claws. They may also have striations on their tail and body.
Although named 'green' iguanas, they occur in many colors - commonly green, blue, brown and orange - and these different color morphs often depend on their location of origin. Whatever the color, the green iguana can reach 2m in length including the tail, and males are larger than females, weighing an average of 4kg compared to 2kg.
Social[]
Green iguanas are solitary animals and only interact to mate. However, hatchlings may remain together in sibling groups for a short period of time after emerging from the nest.
Reproduction[]
During the mating season, males will establish a territory that's usually in an area with branches and close to water. He will defend it from rival males, and attempt to attract females who move through it; if one is interested, she will approach him and he will mount her to mate. Usually, females lay eggs around 65 days after mating, laying their clutch in a nest dug in the ground. After 90 to 120 days, the young will hatch and be independent from hatching, reaching sexual maturity between 3 and 5 years old.
Animal Care[]
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Trivia[]
Zoopedia Fun Facts[]
- Green iguanas are agile climbers and can fall up to 18m without sustaining an injury.
- Green iguanas are excellent swimmers and use their strong tails to propel themselves through the water.
- Green iguanas have a flap of skin hanging from their chin called a 'dewlap'. Movement of the dewlap is a method of communication between iguanas.
- Green iguana hatchlings have a special tooth called a 'caruncle' that is used for breaking through the shell of their egg. It falls off shortly after hatching.
- Green iguanas have a rudimentary third eye on the top of their head known as a 'pineal eye', which is sensitive to changes in light levels and movement.
Other Trivia[]
- The green iguana was formally revealed on World Lizard Day.
- The green iguana is the sister species of the less well-known Lesser Antillean iguana.
- Green iguanas use "head bobs" and dewlaps in a variety of ways in social interactions, such as greeting or courting other iguanas.
Gallery[]
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