Iguanas live in warm regions, mainly in Central and South America and the Caribbean, and many species spend most of their time in trees in tropical or subtropical habitats.

Main places iguanas live

  • Central America and tropical parts of South America (for example, from southern Mexico down through Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia).
  • Many Caribbean islands, where some species are native and green iguanas have also been introduced.
  • Warm coastal and island areas outside their native range, including parts of the southern United States like Florida, Hawaii, and Texas, where released pets have formed wild populations.

Typical habitats

  • Tropical forests, especially along rivers and in other humid, lush areas.
  • Trees in warm regions, because most iguanas are arboreal and use branches for basking in the sun and feeding on leaves and other vegetation.
  • In some drier zones or disturbed areas, they also use burrows, canal banks, culverts, and rock piles, as long as temperatures stay warm enough.

In short, if a place is hot, often near the tropics, and has trees or dense vegetation, there’s a good chance that’s the kind of environment where iguanas live.