Iguana

reptile · tropical · plant-eater

Plant lovers. Iguanas are herbivores, meaning they eat plants like leaves, flowers, and fruit instead of bugs or meat.

Tropical homes. They live in warm tropical places like Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean islands.

Two species. Scientists count two kinds: the widespread green iguana and the Lesser Antillean iguana from a small chain of Caribbean islands.

Popular pets. The green iguana is a favorite pet around the world because it's common and well-known.

Named long ago. An Austrian naturalist named J.N. Laurenti first described this group of lizards way back in 1768.