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Description
Green Iguana
Scientific Name: Iguana iguana
Common Name:
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) in total length, with some males exceeding this range. Their long tail accounts for more than half their total length.
Appearance: The Lime Green Iguana is a selectively bred colour phase noted for its vibrant, high-luminosity green. Individuals display bright lime, chartreuse, or neon-green tones across the body, with some showing subtle yellow highlights along the dewlap and dorsal spines. This phase enhances the natural green of Iguana iguana, giving a more saturated and vivid appearance. Body structure remains typical for the species, with tall dorsal spines, a large dewlap, muscular limbs, and a robust tail.
Distribution: Wild Green Iguanas are found throughout Central and South America, including Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Brazil.
Habitat: In the wild, Green Iguanas inhabit tropical forests, riverbanks, mangroves, and tall canopy systems. In captivity, Lime individuals require tall arboreal enclosures with strong lighting and dense climbing structures.
Behaviour: Green Iguanas are diurnal, arboreal, and herbivorous. They spend much of the day basking and grazing on foliage. Defensive behaviours include dewlap extension, head-bobbing, and tail-whipping. The Lime phase does not influence natural temperament.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Provide a large, vertically oriented enclosure at least 8 feet × 4 feet × 4 feet (2.4 × 1.2 × 1.2 m), with larger enclosures recommended for adults. Furnish with sturdy branches, vines, platforms, and thick foliage to support climbing and security.
Temperature and Humidity:
Basking area: 100 to 105°F (38 to 40°C)
Warm side: 90 to 95°F (32 to 35°C)
Cool side: 78 to 82°F (26 to 28°C)
Night temperatures: 72 to 75°F (22 to 24°C)
Maintain humidity around 60 to 80 percent with regular misting and large water dishes.
Lighting: Strong full-spectrum lighting and high-output UVB (10 to 12 percent) are essential. Bright lighting helps express the vivid lime colouration characteristic of this phase.
Diet: Provide a strictly herbivorous diet consisting of leafy greens, edible flowers, bell peppers, squash, green beans, prickly pear cactus pads, and limited fruits. Avoid high-oxalate vegetables. Supplement calcium regularly, especially for juveniles.
Behaviour in Captivity: Green Iguanas are active, intelligent, and highly visual. They thrive with consistent routines, large enclosures, and plentiful climbing opportunities. Handling tolerance varies, improving with gentle, patient interaction.
Special Considerations:
• Colour intensity may shift with age, temperature, and basking.
• Ensure secure climbing structures to support their size and weight.
• Maintain strong UVB exposure for proper bone health.
• Provide both shaded and bright areas to allow natural thermoregulation.
Taxonomy Note
Iguana iguana is a member of the family Iguanidae, a widespread and well-studied group of herbivorous New World lizards. The Lime phase is a selectively bred colour enhancement and not a distinct subspecies.
Genetics Note
Lime (polygenic): The Lime phase is produced through selective line breeding to intensify bright green and yellow-green pigmentation. Expression varies between individuals and may become more pronounced with age and strong lighting.
Natural variation: Some Lime individuals develop blue or yellow undertones depending on lineage, age, and environmental factors.