Iguana

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For other members of the family Iguanidae, see Iguanidae. For other uses, see Iguana (disambiguation).

Iguana

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. delicatissima
Green Iguana, I. 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. The genus iguana includes two species: the Green Iguana and the Lesser Antillean Iguana.

The word "Iguana" is derived from a Spanish form of the original Taino name for the species "Iwana".^[1]

1 Physical characteristics
- 1.1 Sight
2 Hearing
3 Gallery
4 References

[edit] 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. This eye is known as the Parietal eye, which looks just like a pale scale on the top of their head. 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.