Animal Behavior: Green iguanas may travel considerable distances in several cases. Females migrate to the same nesting site for several years in a row, then travel back to their home territory once their eggs are laid. Hatchlings may disperse over large distances as well. When frightened, an iguana will usually freeze or hide. If caught, twisting and rotating around or tail whipping may occur. Like many other lizards, iguanas can automatize, or drop of part of their tail. This gives them a chance to escape before their predator figures out what is going on. A new tail will sprout from the automatized spot and regrow within a year, though not to the length it was before.

Eating Habits: Green iguanas are primarily herbivorous. They occasionally eat a small amount of carrion or invertebrates. Green leafy plants or ripe fruits are their preferred foods.

Range: Green iguanas, Iguana iguana, occur throughout Central and South America, from Sinaloa and Veracruz, Mexico, south to the Tropic of Capricorn in Paraguay and southeast Brazil. This large lizard also inhabits many islands throughout the Caribbean region and the coastal eastern Pacific and has been introduced into southern Florida and in Hawaii. This is the largest known lizard to occur within the borders of the United States.

Conservation Efforts: Although some populations have suffered from poaching and collection for the pet trade, green iguanas are not considered a conservation risk at this time.

Animal Facts: Green Iguanas are arboreal lizards that live high in the tree canopy. Juveniles establish areas lower in the canopies while older mature iguanas reside higher up. This tree dwelling habit allows them to bask in the sun, rarely coming down except when females dig burrows to lay eggs. Although preferring an arboreal (forested) environment, they can adjust well to a more open area. No matter where they inhabit, they prefer to have water around as they are excellent swimmers and will dive beneath the water to avoid predators.