Description

Iguana (/ɪˈɡwɑːnə/, Spanish: [iˈɣwana]) isagenus of herbivorous lizards native to tropical areas ofMexico,Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The genuswasfirst described in 1768 by Austrian naturalist JosephusNicolausLaurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens SynopsinReptiliumEmendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena. Two species areincludedin the genus Iguana: the green iguana, which iswidespreadthroughout its range and a popular pet, and the LesserAntilleaniguana, which is native to the Lesser Antilles andendangered dueto habitat destruction.

The word "iguana" is derived from the original Taino name forthespecies, iwana.

In addition to the two species in the genus Iguana, severalotherrelated genera in the same family have common names of thespeciesincluding the word "iguana".

Iguanas can range from 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) includingtheirtail. The two species of lizard within the genus Iguanapossess adewlap, a row of spines running down their backs to theirtails, anda tiny "third eye" on their heads. This light-sensingorgan is knownas the parietal eye, visible as a pale scale on thetop of the head,and cannot make out details, just brightness.Behind their necks aresmall scales which resemble spokes, known astuberculate scales.These scales may be a variety of colors and arenot always visiblefrom close distances. They have a large roundscale on their cheeksknown as a subtympanic shield.

Iguanas have great vision and can see shapes, shadows,colors,and movement at long distances. Iguanas use their eyes tonavigatethrough crowded forests, as well as for finding food. Theyusevisual signals to communicate with other members of thesamespecies.

The tympanum, the iguana's ear drum, is located abovethesubtympanic shield and behind the eye. Iguanas are often hardtospot, as they tend to blend into their surroundings. Theirscalecolors are a mode of hiding from larger predators. Maleiguanas, aswell as other male members of the order Squamata, havetwohemipenes.

- Green iguana from the island of St. Thomas
- Green iguana, Iguana iguana, on St. Thomas
- Another green iguana
- A Lesser Antillean iguana in the wild in Dominica
- Invasive green iguana on Grand Cayman
- An iguana at an environmental reserve at La Manzanilla,Jalisco,Mexico
- An iguana at Butterfly World, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Green Iguana at Bannergatta, Bangalore, India