Green iguanas have become a growing concern in Florida, especially for homeowners dealing with property damage caused by these invasive reptiles. While they are popular in the pet trade and often admired for their bright green coloration and exotic appearance, most green iguanas live far beyond what many expect—especially under proper captive care.
If you live in Florida and are trying to better understand the green iguana, especially how long these lizards can live in the wild or in captivity, this article covers everything you need to know. From lifespan factors to environmental impact, we’ll break it down in a straightforward, no-nonsense way.
Average Lifespan of a Green Iguana
The average lifespan of a green iguana varies greatly depending on its environment. In the wild, most green iguanas live between 8 and 10 years. However, with proper care in captivity, their lifespan can extend up to 15 to 20 years. In rare cases, captive iguanas have even lived past 20 years, but this is uncommon.
Factors That Affect Lifespan:
- Wild vs. Captivity: Wild iguanas face natural predators, food shortages, disease, and weather-related risks. These dangers are less of a concern for pet iguanas or those living in captivity with attentive owners.
- Diet: A diet rich in dark leafy greens such as dandelion greens, mustard greens, and collard greens supports longevity. Poor nutrition, especially feeding animal protein, can lead to kidney disease or metabolic bone disease.
- Captive Care: Lifespan depends heavily on proper care. Improper husbandry can cause premature death in juvenile iguanas or adults. This includes poor heating, lighting, and a lack of UVB rays, which promotes calcium absorption necessary for bone health.
- Genetics & Stress: Just like other animals, iguanas are affected by genetics. Stress from poor handling or lack of space also shortens their lifespan.
Green Iguanas in the Wild
Native to Central and South America, the common green iguana ranges from southern Mexico to southern Brazil, including the Caribbean islands. They thrive in tropical climates and are excellent swimmers, often seen near canals and ponds.
In Florida, however, these invasive iguanas have become a serious problem. Introduced through the pet trade, many owners released them into the wild once they became too large or unmanageable. The full-grown green iguana can reach 5 to 7 feet long, including the tail, making them one of the largest lizards in the Americas.
It is also important to note that iguanas may bite if they feel threatened. In other words, you shouldn’t try to remove iguanas from your property on your own. Instead, call a wildlife control company like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers.
Juvenile and Adult Green Iguanas
Juvenile iguanas are usually a bright green color and appear harmless, but they grow quickly. As they become adult iguanas, their coloration darkens, and males develop pronounced jowls, strong jaws, and engage in territorial displays such as head bobbing and tail whipping. These behaviors have particular meanings, often used to protect females or deter rivals during breeding season.
In familial groups or territorial zones, iguanas may dig up nesting sites, displacing soil and damaging landscaping, sidewalks, and seawalls. They often compete with other animals for food and territory, and their populations can grow unchecked in the absence of natural predators.
Captive Iguanas and the Pet Trade
Many people buy young iguanas from pet stores without understanding the specialized care they require. The idea of owning exotic animals may sound appealing, but many owners are unprepared for the long-term commitment.
Common Problems with Pet Iguanas:
- Improper Diets: Feeding animal protein or dog food—common mistakes—can cause irreversible organ damage.
- Inadequate UVB Lighting: Without exposure to UVB, iguanas cannot produce vitamin D3, which is essential for calcium absorption. This often results in metabolic bone disease.
- Limited Space: Iguanas need space to climb and regulate their body temperature. Small tanks or cages lead to stress and behavioral issues.
- Lack of Veterinary Care: Few vets specialize in reptiles, leading to untreated conditions like severe malnourishment or kidney disease.
If you’re a Florida resident dealing with abandoned or escaped iguanas, it’s important to understand that these animals are not just pests—they’re often victims of improper husbandry or impulsive pet purchases.
How Long Do Green Iguanas Live in Florida?
In Florida’s climate, green iguanas have found a second home. With few predators and plenty of vegetation, wild iguanas can live just as long as those in captivity—up to 10 years, sometimes longer if conditions are ideal.
However, cold snaps pose a serious threat. Green iguanas are cold-blooded and depend on external temperatures to stay active. When temperatures fall below 45°F (7°C), iguanas lose control of their own bodies and may fall from trees in a comatose state. Although many recover, extreme cold can be fatal.
Signs of a Healthy Iguana
Whether you’re a pet owner or someone trying to assess iguanas in your backyard, here are signs of a healthy green iguana:
- Active and alert behavior
- Clear eyes and skin
- Strong grip with claws and tail
- Regular shedding and appetite
- Bright coloration in young iguanas
Unhealthy iguanas often appear lethargic, show signs of malnourishment, or display abnormal posture due to weakened bones.
What Should Florida Homeowners Know?
If you’re dealing with green iguanas on your property in Florida, knowing their average lifespan can help you understand how long a particular iguana might remain a problem. Keep in mind:
- Most green iguanas that reach adulthood may stay in your area for up to a decade.
- They return to familiar nesting sites and can reproduce rapidly, leading to many iguanas on your property within a few breeding seasons.
- Removing a single iguana doesn’t solve the problem unless nesting areas are addressed.
- Professional wildlife removal services are often necessary, especially in neighborhoods where green iguanas have become aggressive or destructive.
Whether you have one iguana swimming in your pool or a whole family of them roaming your backyard, Nuisance Wildlife Rangers is here to help you. We can humanely remove iguanas from your property and relocate them somewhere away from human activity.
Get Connected to Professional Iguana Removal
The lifespan of a green iguana is a key factor in understanding the long-term impact these reptiles have on Florida’s ecosystem and on your property. These reptiles are not short-term visitors. With lifespans reaching two decades in ideal conditions, they can cause years of property damage if not properly managed.
While many people adopt them as pets, the commitment often exceeds expectations. Between their size, diet, habitat needs, and potential health issues, green iguanas are far more complex than they appear in pet stores.
For Florida residents, dealing with invasive iguanas is more than an inconvenience—it’s an ongoing challenge. If you suspect iguanas are nesting near your home or damaging your landscaping, consult with Nuisance Wildlife Rangers. The sooner you act, the better your chances of preventing an infestation that could last for years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Are green iguanas dangerous to humans or pets?
Green iguanas are not typically aggressive, but they can bite, scratch, or whip with their tails if threatened—especially during mating season. Their sharp teeth and strong jaws can cause injury, and they may transmit salmonella through feces. Pets, especially small dogs or cats, may provoke defensive behavior if they get too close.
2. Do iguanas pose a threat to local wildlife in Florida?
Yes. Green iguanas compete with native species for food and habitat. They often consume ornamental plants and disrupt bird nesting sites, and their burrowing damages infrastructure, indirectly harming other animals by destabilizing the environment. Their rapid reproduction also increases pressure on Florida’s ecosystems.
3. How can I keep green iguanas out of my yard or garden?
You can deter green iguanas by removing their preferred food sources (like fruit trees and leafy plants), sealing off access to nesting sites, and using barriers or repellents. Prune vegetation away from walls and roofs, and consider motion-activated sprinklers. Persistent infestations usually require professional removal services.
4. Can green iguanas be relocated instead of euthanized?
In Florida, it is illegal to relocate green iguanas due to their invasive status. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), they must be humanely euthanized if captured. Relocating them would risk further spread and ecological damage.
5. What’s the difference between green iguanas and other lizards in Florida?
Green iguanas are among the largest lizards in Florida, reaching lengths of up to 7 feet. Unlike native lizards, they have a pronounced dewlap, long claws, and a row of spines along their back and tail. Their size, behavior, and damage patterns set them apart from species like anoles or skinks.
6. How fast do green iguanas reproduce?
Female iguanas typically lay 20 to 70 eggs per year, depending on age and size. Once they reach maturity (usually around 2 to 3 years), they can reproduce annually, often returning to the same nesting sites. Without predators or human intervention, populations can grow exponentially in just a few seasons.
