Green Iguana
Iguana iguana
Summary 7
For the Tampa, Florida restaurants see Jason Fernandez
Description 8
The green iguana, Iguana iguana is a popular pet trade species not native to Florida, but increasingly encountered as an escaped exotic in the southern half of the state.I. iguana is variable in color, young animals being bright green and then becoming more uniform grayish green in color with age. Green iguanas also have a limited ability to alter color based on mood or social interaction or in response to environmental conditions, with males exhibiting more color variation than females (Frye 1995).A prominent hanging dewlap under the throat, a dorsal crest of robust dermal spines running from neck to tail, a set of large scales on each side of the head, a membrane-covered tympanum, and a long, tapering, variably ringed tail are distinguishing features of the species (Oldham and Smith 1975, De Vosjoli 1992; Frye 1995, Gingell and Harding 2005). The eyes are laterally positioned and are protected by an immovable upperlid and a movable lower eyelid. A light-sensing organ-the parietal "eye"-is present on top of the head and is important in cueing diel coordination and gonadal maturation. The parietal eye exhibits rudimentary visual sensory abilities, namely the ability to perceive shadows from above the animal (Frye 1995).
Size 9
Length: 200 cm
Look alikes 10
Although a growing assortment of exotic iguanids, polychrotids (anoles), geckonids (geckos), and other non-native lizards are now encountered in Florida, relatively few of these could be easily misidentified as I. iguana. Black spinytail iguanas (Ctenosaura similis) and Mexican spinytail iguanas (C. pectinata) are potential exceptions, but looking for the diagnostic features described above should allow Iguana iguana to be differentiated from these animals.
Marismas nacionales san blas mangroves habitat 11
This taxon is found in the Marismas Nacionales-San Blas mangrovesecoregion contains the most extensive block of mangroveecosystem along the Pacific coastal zone of Mexico, comprising around 2000 square kilometres. Mangroves in Nayarit are among the most productive systems of northwest Mexico. These mangroves and their associated wetlands also serve as one of the most important winter habitat for birds in the Pacific coastal zone, by serving about eighty percent of the Pacific migratory shore bird populations.
Although the mangroves grow on flat terrain, the seven rivers that feed the mangroves descend from mountains, which belong to the physiographic province of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The climate varies from temperate-dry to sub-humid in the summer, when the region receives most of its rainfall (more than 1000 millimetres /year).
Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans), Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) and White Mangrove trees (Laguncularia racemosa) occur in this ecoregion. In the northern part of the ecoregion near Teacapán the Black Mangrove tree is dominant; however, in the southern part nearer Agua Brava, White Mangrove dominates. Herbaceous vegetation is rare, but other species that can be found in association with mangrove trees are: Ciruelillo (Phyllanthus elsiae), Guiana-chestnut (Pachira aquatica), and Pond Apple (Annona glabra).
There are are a number of reptiles present, which including a important population of Morelet's Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) and American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in the freshwater marshes associated with tropical Cohune Palm (Attalea cohune) forest. Also present in this ecoregion are reptiles such as the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), Mexican Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum) and Yellow Bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta). Four species of endangered sea turtle use the coast of Nayarit for nesting sites including Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas).
A number of mammals are found in the ecoregion, including the Puma (Puma concolor), Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), Jaguar (Panthera onca), Southern Pygmy Mouse (Baiomys musculus), Saussure's Shrew (Sorex saussurei). In addition many bat taxa are found in the ecoregion, including fruit eating species such as the Pygmy Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus phaeotis); Aztec Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus aztecus) and Toltec Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus toltecus); there are also bat representatives from the genus myotis, such as the Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans) and the Cinnamon Myotis (M. fortidens).
There are more than 252 species of birds, 40 percent of which are migratory, including 12 migratory ducks and approximately 36 endemic birds, including the Bumblebee Hummingbird, (Atthis heloisa) and the Mexican Woodnymph (Thalurania ridgwayi). Bojórquez considers the mangroves of Nayarit and Sinaloa among the areas of highest concentration of migratory birds. This ecoregion also serves as wintering habitat and as refuge from surrounding habitats during harsh climatic conditions for many species, especially birds; this sheltering effect further elevates the conservation value of this habitat.
Some of the many representative avifauna are Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), sanderling (Calidris alba), American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors), Mexican Jacana (Jacana spinosa), Elegant Trogan (Trogan elegans), Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra), White-tailed Hawk (Buteo albicaudatus), Merlin (Falco columbarius), Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii), Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) and Wood Stork (Mycteria americana).
Ecology 12
Hatchlings in Panama dispersed average of 250 m (maximum 1750 m) from nest site to hatchling habitat where they became sedentary; females traveled average of 425 m (maximum 1400 m) from home range to nesting site (Bock and McCracken 1988); 2 females moved 470 m and 1140 m from center of home range to nesting area (Rand et al. 1989); regarded as sedentary outside breeding season, core area of home range over 6 months ranged from about 1200 sq m in a juvenile to about 9500 sq m in large adult male (another study found smaller male home range size) (Rand et al. 1989).
Communication and perception 13
These animals are known to use visual signals, such as head bobbing and dewlap extension, as means of communicating with rivals. In extreme cases, physical contact is involved in altercations. In addition, males scent mark females as well as branches. Hissing, which is a form of auditory communication, sometimes occurs.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: mimicry ; pheromones ; scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Development 14
Approximately 65 days after mating, a female is ready to lay her eggs. The size and number of eggs produced varies depending upon her size, her nutritional status, and her maturity. Eggs measure around 15.4 mm in diameter, and 35 to 40 mm in length (Frye, 1995). Over a three day period, an average of 10 to 30 leathery white or pale-cream colored eggs are deposited into a nest. Nests are located 45 cm to more than a meter deep, and may be shared with other females if nesting areas are limited. After laying the eggs, females may return to the nest several times but do not stay to guard it.
Incubation lasts from 90 to 120 days. Temperature should range from 85 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit. The hatchlings pip the egg open using a special egg tooth, called the caruncle, that falls off shortly after hatching. Absorbed yolk provides most of the nourishment for the first week or two of an iguana's life.
There are no major morphological changes in these animals as they age, except that they grow. However, diet is related to age. The young, with higher need for protein, are more likely to consume insects and eggs than are mature individuals.
Lifespan/longevity 15
Iguanas can live for more than 20 years in captivity, although wild iguanas are thought to live only about 8 years. Proper nutrition for growth is a concern for captive management of these animals. Improper housing and nutrition can shorten a captive iguana's lifespan.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 20 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 8 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 10 years.
Average lifespan
Sex: female
Status: captivity: 12.4 years.
Functional adaptation 16
Pores expel fluid: iguana
A gland in the leg of the iguana excretes liquid via epidermal and dermal tubes and pores in the skin.
"[The iguana] excretes liquid (sometimes volatile lipids) from a gland on ventral side of the femur. The liquid is expelled through epidermal and dermal tubes ending in a row of pores on the skin. Gland length varies depending on the season, especially in males." (Biomimicry Guild unpublished report)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
National nature serve conservation status 17
Canada
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not ApplicableUnited States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not ApplicableThreats 18
Throughout Latin America, the green iguana is hunted for its beautiful, commercially-valuable skin, prized flesh, and eggs (4) (8). It is one of the neotropical reptiles most frequently hunted for food, to feed the family or for sale, and is killed by rifles or captured by dogs. They are also captured live; newly-hatched iguanas may be exported for the pet trade, while captured females may be cut open to extract the eggs and then released (4); these females subsequently die (2). This level of exploitation, in combination with deforestation, has decimated populations in some parts of its range (4).
Sources and Credits
- (c) Erik Underbjerg, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/23334526@N03/3338511201
- (c) djpmapleferryman, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2950085343_30c998e916_b.jpg
- (c) Marek Velechovský, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/26579.jpg
- (c) 2003 California Academy of Sciences, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=126786&one=T
- (c) canopalma, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
- (c) Stepanka Nemcova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/71303.jpg
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguana_iguana
- (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11526270
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28942865
- (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11526273
- (c) World Wildlife Fund & C. Michael Hogan , some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/27097508
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28942860
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/18652462
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/18652459
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/18652461
- (c) The Biomimicry Institute, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/16885308
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28942850
- (c) Wildscreen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/6692051
