Geographic range: Oceanic Islands, Neotropical: Iguana iguana is native to a region stretching from Mexico through Central to South America and Caribbean islands of Aruba, Barbados (ex), Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guadalupe, Guyana, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Virgin Islands (British) , Virgin Islands US ).
It has been introduced to Florida.

Physical characteristics: Large lizard reaching up to 8 kg i weight and 1.7 m in length. The overall body color is greenish, but older animals can vary in color considerably from grayish green to almost orange. Juveniles are bright green. In adults a dorsal crest is present. In males the crest is pronounced, as well as the dewlap underneath its chin. Toes carry long and sharp claws employed in climbing.

Food habits: Mostly herbivorous, but especially juveniles can be largely carnivorous, eating mostly insects.

Reproduction: Mating usually occurs during the dery season. Gestation lasts about 2 months. Eggs are laid in undergroung burrows and hatch usually during the onset of the rainy season after 90 days form the day they were laid. Typical clutch contains from 12 to 30 eggs. The iguana may be sexually mature at 16 months of age but is usually considered an adult at 18 months old and at least 9 inches snout-vent length.

Behavior: Iguana iguana can be observed to form loose groups when basking and foraging together in trees. The male iguanas are generally more aggressive than the females and will intensively defend their territories. The iguanas communicate visually, displays involve dewlap extensions, head-bobbing and/or pushups. Iguana iguana is both arboreal and terrestrial. swims very well and frequently escapes to water when disturbed.

Habitat: Trees along rivers, lakes, and in mangrove swamps, as well as in relatively open, arid areas if food resources are sufficient.

Biomes: tropical rainforest, tropical deciduous forest

Conservation: Populations are threatened by habitat destruction and ilegal trade.