Iguana
Green Iguana Iguana iguana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Squamata Suborder: Iguania Family: Iguanidae Genus: Iguana Laurenti, 1768
Species
West Indian Iguana or Lesser Antillean Iguana, I. The green iguana or common iguana ( Iguana iguana) is a large Arboreal Herbivorous Species of Lizard of the Genus Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia are air-breathing Cold-blooded Vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers Squamata (scaled reptiles is the largest recent order of Reptiles including Lizards and Snakes Members of the order are distinguished by Iguania is the suborder of Squamata that contains the Iguanas, Chameleons and New World "lizards" such as Anoles and The Iguanidae is a family of Lizards composed of Iguanas and related species Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti ( December 4, 1735 - February 17, 1805) was an Austrian naturalist. delicatissima Green Iguana, I. The green iguana or common iguana ( Iguana iguana) is a large Arboreal Herbivorous Species of Lizard of the Genus iguana

Iguana is a genus of lizard native to tropical areas of Central and South America and the Caribbean first described by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena in 1768. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic Lizards are a large and widespread group of Reptiles of the order Squamata, with nearly 5000 species and ranging across all continents except South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting Natural history is the Scientific research of Plants or Animals leaning more towards the Observational than Experimental methods Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti ( December 4, 1735 - February 17, 1805) was an Austrian naturalist. The genus iguana includes two species: the Green Iguana and the Lesser Antillean Iguana. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. The green iguana or common iguana ( Iguana iguana) is a large Arboreal Herbivorous Species of Lizard of the Genus The Lesser Antillean Iguana ( Iguana delicatissima) is one of two species of Lizard of the genus Iguana.

The word "Iguana" is derived from a Spanish form of the original Taino name for the species "Iwana". The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. ^[1]

Physical characteristics

The two species of lizard within the genus Iguana possesses a dewlap, a row of spines running down their back to their tail, and a third eye on their head. A dewlap is a flap of Skin that hangs beneath the Lower jaw of Tetrapods that is Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals This eye is known as the Parietal eye, which looks just like a pale scale on the top of their head. A parietal eye, also known as a parietal organ or third-eye is a part of the Epithalamus present in some animal species Behind their neck are small scales which resemble spikes, known as tuberculate scales. They also have a large round scale on their cheek known as a subtympanic shield.

Sight

Iguanas have excellent vision and are able to see shapes, shadows, color and movement for long distances. Iguanas use their eyes to navigate through crowded forests, as well as for finding food. They also use visual signals to communicate with members of the same species.

They respond to bright colors such as orange and yellow as food substances.

Hearing

An iguana's ear is known as the tympanum. It is the iguana's ear drum, and is located right above the subtympanic shield and behind the eye. This is a very thin and delicate part of the iguana, and crucial to their hearing.

Gallery

A green iguana (Iguana iguana)

This is a Green Iguana kept as a pet. The green iguana or common iguana ( Iguana iguana) is a large Arboreal Herbivorous Species of Lizard of the Genus The green iguana or common iguana ( Iguana iguana) is a large Arboreal Herbivorous Species of Lizard of the Genus

This is a Lesser Antillean Iguana kept at a zoo. The Lesser Antillean Iguana ( Iguana delicatissima) is one of two species of Lizard of the genus Iguana.

References