Common Iguana, Green Iguana

Description:

Common Iguanas also known as Green Iguanas, have escaped from the domestic pet trade on Grand Cayman, and are breeding in the wild throughout the western districts of the island. They are native to Central and South America. Common Iguanas are now numerous and sighted often, while the critically endangered Blues are almost never seen outside protected areas. More and more, people are beginning to mistakenly assume the Common Iguana actually IS the Cayman’s own Blue Iguana! The two species are very different, and can not breed together. They don’t even speak the same “language” – when a Blue Iguana threatens a Common Iguana by head-bobbing, the Common Iguana does not understand. Size for size, the Blue Iguana is much stronger and much more aggressive. To tell them apart: Common Iguana has spines on the dewlap (the skin flap under the chin), The Blues never have spines here. Common Iguanas have a very long, whip-like tail, with vivid black bands. Blues have a thicker tail, without obvious bands. Common Iguanas have a large circular scale, like a shield, on the cheek beneath the ear. Blues have their cheeks covered with cone-shaped, pointed scales when they are old, and never have a large circular one.

Habitat:

Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Garden