GREEN IGUANA

CHARACTERISTICS: With a total length which can exceed 2 metres it is, without doubt, the largest of all known iguanas. The crest on the back, formed by scales in the shape of spines, is less apparent in females and juveniles. Its tail is used both to defend itself and to swim. It can reach 3-4 kg in weight. The males are larger than the females.
DIET: It feeds mainly on shoots, soft leaves, fruit and flower petals.
REPRODUCTION: After an incubation of 2-3 months, it can bring forth 20-60 babies. It does not have a well defined breeding season, although the egg-laying does tend to take place in the driest season of the year, and therefore the babies emerge from the eggs in the rainy season, coinciding with greater abundance of food.
CURIOSITIES: It devotes 96% of its time to resting and to the capture of "tasty” solar rays, 3% to reproducing and just 1% to feeding as it barely needs to move to find food. One sole tree can cover all of its needs.