Leaping lizards!

These reptiles have strong legs and sharp claws that help them to climb in foliage and hang on to trees. Their long second and third toes add extra stability and grip for climbing. In the wild, iguanas have been known to fall 15 metres without injury, in part thanks to their ability to use their strong claws to grasp at branches and ease their descent.

As well as being great climbers, iguanas are strong swimmers too. If threatened, they can leap from tree branches into the water to avoid harm.

Invasive iguanas

Iguanas are a great example of a species that is able to coexist harmoniously with other species in their native environment but can be very destructive when introduced as a foreign species.

The green iguana’s homeland is Central and South America, but they have been introduced to a number of countries including the Fijian Islands and Puerto Rico, sometimes due to the illegal pet trade. Once introduced, their numbers increase rapidly which can cause destruction to ecosystems, through negatively impacting crops and infrastructure, or introducing disease to native species (including other iguana species).

At the Zoo

Our green iguana habitat includes a range of carefully selected branches and foliage, which are strategically placed to provide iguanas with places to climb, rest, and regulate their body temperature.

Sunlight is important for reptiles as they require heat as a source of energy. To mimic the heat from the sun, our ectotherm team provide the iguanas with UV lights, a high energy heat source, and an LED light. With a combination of lamps and natural daylight, their habitat is kept at 22 – 35°C with misters to keep humidity levels high. Together, these create perfect conditions for basking.

As well as heated areas, there are also cooler areas in the habitat, and iguanas will often move around branches to cool off.

Food is strategically placed around the habitat to encourage iguanas to use their whole bodies to reach and secure it, and there are camouflaged food stations in the habitat too.

You can visit the green iguanas on our South America Rainforest Track.

In the Wild

Origin: Southern Brazil/ Central and South America

Habitat: Forest

Conservation status: IUCN – Least concern

How we’re helping

Both iguanas at Auckland Zoo had experiences with the illegal animal trade before they came to live at the Zoo. The male iguana arrived after someone tried to smuggle him from Sweden through the mail – luckily intercepted by New Zealand Customs. The female iguana was found on a cargo boat from Panama, spending some time in Wellington Zoo before coming to live in Auckland Zoo.

Together, this duo help us to spread awareness about wildlife crime. Illegal wildlife smuggling has serious risks for not only for the animals involved, but also as it may impact New Zealand’s ecosystems and our native species.

How you can help 

As a not-for-profit, we rely on our amazing supporters like you to be able to continue our conservation Wild Work for the world’s most vulnerable and at-risk animal species. Help our wildlife in need by making a donation.