iguana

igua·na

noun \i-ˈgwä-nə\

Definition of IGUANA

: any of various large chiefly herbivorous usually green or brownish tropical American lizards (family Iguanidae, the iguana family) that have a serrated dorsal crest and large dewlap; broadly : any of various large lizards

Illustration of IGUANA

Origin of IGUANA

Spanish, from Arawak & Carib iwana

First Known Use: 1555

Rhymes with IGUANA

Bechuana, Botswana, Fergana, gymkhana, jacana, lantana, liana, Madonna, mañana, nagana, nirvana, piranha, Purana, ruana, Tijuana, Toscana, zenana

iguana

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Common iguana (Iguana iguana).—Willis Peterson

Any of about 13 of the larger members of the lizard family Iguanidae. Best known is the common iguana (Iguana iguana), which ranges from Mexico southward to Brazil. It reaches a maximum length of 6 ft (1.8 m). It lives in trees, especially trees overhanging water, into which it will plunge if disturbed. It is greenish, with brown bands that form regular rings on the tail. It primarily eats tender leaves and fruits but will also eat small birds and crustaceans. Species of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico include the chuckwalla (Sauromalus obesus) and desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis).