Marine Iguana

Overview

The world's only marine lizard, black with a blunt snout, diving to graze on underwater algae.

History & Origin

The iguana is native to Galápagos Islands. It belongs to the family Iguanas, a lineage of lizards distributed across those regions and kept both in the wild and by specialist reptile keepers.

Appearance & Size

Marine Iguana is a medium (60–90 cm) lizard.

Temperament

It shows the typical temperament of its group—research the species for handling guidance.

Care & Husbandry

Iguanas are primarily herbivorous as adults, requiring a varied diet of leafy greens, vegetables and limited fruit; juveniles are more insect-tolerant. They need very large enclosures, strong UVB, high basking temperatures and climbing structure. Green iguanas in particular grow large and demand committed long-term husbandry.

Health & Lifespan

Key risks are metabolic bone disease, kidney disease from low hydration, and impaction. Growing iguanas need careful calcium:phosphorus balance and UVB; males can become aggressive in breeding season. In captivity a healthy individual may live around 10–20 years.

Popularity & Recognition

Green iguanas are icons of the pet trade and invasive in Florida and the Caribbean; their dramatic dewlap, whiptail and third 'eye' (parietal eye) make them unmistakable.