Iguanas (Iguana iguana) are large lizards, growing up to 6.5 feet in length and over 17 pounds. Their natural range extends throughout Central and South America, though they have been introduced to tropical areas of the United States. They prefer to eat green leafy plants and fruit, but will eat insects or scavenge carrion on occasion.

In the wild, iguanas typically live about 8 years... iguanas in captivity have been known to live 20 years. In the wild, they face the threat of predation by humans and large birds (especially hawks). As a result, they have evolved cryptic coloration, or camouflage, that allows them to blend in with their surroundings. Click here for photographs of iguanas demonstrating cryptic morphology.

In the video an iguana at Uxmal,Yucatan, Mexico is basking (or sunbathing) on a piece of metal. Iguanas, like most reptiles, bask to keep their bodies warm and to aid digestion. The iguana in the video gives a head-bobbing display that is used to communicate, in this case, aggression (the iguana is prepared to defend itself if the camera gets too close). Male iguanas also bob their heads at females with whom they wish to mate.