Iguana GuideQuick answer: No. Iguanas breathe air with lungs. Species that dive can hold their breath for a period, but they must return to the surface to breathe.
BreathingLungs
UnderwaterBreath-holding
NotAquatic gills
Marine iguanaStill air-breathing
Swimming is not underwater breathing
This distinction is easy to miss because marine iguanas forage in the ocean and green iguanas can swim strongly. Both are still reptiles with lungs.
Why dive at all?
For green iguanas, water can provide an escape route. Marine iguanas dive because their food source is tied to marine algae.
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Thermal tradeoff
Water can cool an ectothermic animal rapidly. Marine iguanas therefore combine aquatic feeding with substantial basking on land.
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Keep exploring
Iguana facts become more useful when anatomy, behavior, species and habitat are connected instead of treated as isolated trivia.
Sources & further reading
Core factual claims on this page were checked against these references.
Health boundary: Iguana Guide explains natural history and responsible ownership. It does not diagnose illness or provide treatment instructions.