Lifespan : 10 years.

Breeding : Mating season varies. Incubation 3 months. 25-60 eggs/clutch. One clutch/year.

Habits : Active by day, in groups.

Diet : Leaves, fruit, insects, birds, and small mammals.

    The green iguana is a large, impressive New World lizard.  It has a compressed body and tail, and a dorsal crest of soft spines that is more pronounced in males. Its tail is up to 3 times the length of its body.  It is an agile climber that can balance on the slenderest branch, but it cannot leap very far.  The iguana can throw itself from a branch 40-50 feet up in a tree and land unhurt on the ground.  It is often found near swamps, rivers, and streams, and it uses water as a means of escape from danger. It is an excellent swimmer and can remain submerged for several minutes while a threat passes. If cornered, the lizard strikes with razor sharp teeth, sharp claws, and a whip-like tail.  Iguanas cannot regulate their heat, so to stay cool, they seek out shade, and to warm up, they lay in the sun.
    An iguana lays its eggs in a burrow that it excavates itself. Several females lay up to 70 eggs in a single burrow. The eggs are spherical, white, and about 1.5 inches in diameter.  The female abandons her eggs after they are laid in a spot that is a constant 86 degrees F.
    The common iguana is widely used as a food throughout its range. It is not an endangered species, but it does suffer from hunting and trapping.  Young iguanas are popular as pets because of their bright green color.