helmeted iguana | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania or Sauria |
Family: | Corytophanidae |
Genus: | Corytophanes |
Species: | C. cristatus |
Binomial name | |
Corytophanes cristatus Merrem, 1820[1] |
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Synonyms | |
Agama cristata Merrem, 1820 |
The helmeted iguana (Corytophanes cristatus) is a species of lizard found from southern Mexico to South America. It lives in rainforests. It has long limbs and climbs well. It feeds on insects, spiders, worms, and other lizards. The helmeted iguana, like chameleons and other iguanas, has the ability to change its coloration from dark to light or vice versa, which aids in thermoregulation when basking in sunlight.