Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I’ve lived in South Florida for over 19 years and in recent years I notice more and more Green Iguana families thriving in certain areas. Thought not indigenous I believe these were originally brought over as pets and have now reproduced into large wild colonies.
My question is… I see the same Iguana everyday basking in the same spot with it’s mouth wide open. I know in snakes and turtles this is a sign of some illness. Is this true for Iguana’s as well? If it’s sick I do have a vet that also rehabilitates wildlife and would gladly nurse it back to health.

Hi, most likely what you are seeing is panting because he is too warm...they will pant kinda like a dog when basking too long and eventually move to cooler ground...I would not worry about him...Lyn

I was hoping it was something simple like that. It sits 5 feet from a canal under the shade of a guard rail. I'm going to try and get a picture of him and post it.
Thanks