Are There Iguanas in Maine?
Iguanas do not live anywhere in Maine. These tropical reptiles require warm year-round temperatures, and Maine's harsh winters with sub-zero conditions are immediately lethal to them. Even summer temperatures in Maine are below what iguanas need for normal activity. Any iguana found in Maine would be an escaped exotic pet facing certain death outdoors.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Green Anole · Lyndsey CC BY
Green Anole · Texas Bird Family CC BY
Knight Anole · Josiah Londerée CC BY
- 0
- GBIF records
Iguanas aren't established in Maine, so you might be wondering:
Iguanas do not live anywhere in Maine. These tropical reptiles require warm year-round temperatures, and Maine's harsh winters with sub-zero conditions are immediately lethal to them. Even summer temperatures in Maine are below what iguanas need for normal activity. Any iguana found in Maine would be an escaped exotic pet facing certain death outdoors.
Where Iguanas Are Found in Maine
Iguanas are not found in the wild anywhere in Maine. These large tropical reptiles require climates that remain warm throughout the year, and Maine's northern location on the Atlantic Coast makes the state far too cold for iguana survival. Iguanas naturally occur from Central America through South America, with some established populations in southern Florida and parts of Texas and California. Maine's forests, mountains, and coastal areas, including Acadia National Park and the Mount Katahdin region, do not support iguanas. The state's fauna is adapted to temperate conditions with cold winters, including native species like moose, black bears, bald eagles, and cold-hardy reptiles such as garter snakes and painted turtles. The Kennebec River, Penobscot River, and Moosehead Lake are important freshwater resources but are far too cold for tropical iguanas. Iguanas need tropical vegetation, warm microclimates, and consistent temperatures between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit for normal activity. Maine's climate reaches freezing temperatures by September and maintains subfreezing conditions from November through March. Any iguana spotted in Maine is definitely an escaped exotic pet with no chance of survival in the wild. Visit theMaine wildlife hubto learn about reptiles actually native to Maine.
Season and Timing of Iguanas in Maine
There is no season in Maine during which iguanas could naturally occur because they do not live in the wild in the state. While Maine experiences a brief summer period from June through August when temperatures reach the 70s and low 80s, this is insufficient for year-round iguana survival. Even during Maine's warmest months, nighttime temperatures drop to the 50s or 60s, which is cold enough to stress iguanas and make them lethargic. An escaped iguana found in Maine during summer could potentially survive for a few weeks if it found shelter and food sources, but it would certainly perish as temperatures declined through fall. By October, most of Maine experiences temperatures in the 40s and 50s, which are lethal to iguanas over sustained periods. Maine's winter season, from November through March, regularly sees temperatures dropping well below freezing, with nighttime temperatures reaching negative ten degrees or lower. These conditions are instantly fatal to tropical reptiles. Spring in Maine begins in April but remains cool, with frost still possible in many areas. Escaped iguanas spotted in Maine are almost exclusively found during peak summer months when humans are more active and sightings are more likely to be reported. No breeding population could ever establish in Maine due to the complete absence of suitable thermal conditions. For more on iguana in Maine, see ourMaine iguana guide.
How to Identify an Iguana
Iguanas are unmistakable if encountered in Maine. These large lizards reach five to seven feet in total length, with some individuals growing even larger. Their bodies are covered in small, bumpy scales arranged in rows, creating a distinctive textured appearance. Most iguanas are bright green when young and gradually shift to duller green, gray, or brown as they mature. The most recognizable feature is the crest of tall spikes that runs from the iguana's head down the entire length of its back to the tail. This dorsal crest is more pronounced in males than females. The tail is thick and muscular, comprising nearly half the animal's total length, and is used for balance and defense. Iguanas have four powerful limbs with five clawed toes on each foot, making them exceptional climbers. Their head is small compared to their body, with large, alert eyes, small ear openings, and a prominent ridge line running from the eye toward the jaw. Males have more prominent jowls and a deeper chin area than females. The throat features a large fold of skin called a dewlap that males display when threatened or establishing dominance. A thick, muscular body, green coloration, and distinctive spikes make iguanas unmistakable compared to any native Maine reptile. You can also browseMaine wildlife.
Where Sightings Are Most Likely in Maine
If an iguana is found in Maine, it will be in an urban or suburban area, not in natural habitats like Acadia National Park or the forests around Mount Katahdin. Portland, Bangor, and Augusta are the most likely locations for escaped exotic pets, given their larger human populations and higher likelihood of exotic animal ownership. Escaped iguanas might be spotted in city parks, botanical gardens, or near residential buildings where they initially seek shelter. Zoo escapes or releases from private collections are the only ways iguanas would appear in Maine. Warmer urban microclimates around buildings, parking lots, or protected areas might temporarily shelter an escaped iguana during peak summer. The coasts near Bar Harbor or along the Atlantic would be too windy and cool even in summer for iguana comfort. The cold waters of Maine's rivers and lakes, including Moosehead Lake, offer no thermal advantages for iguanas. Maine's extensive forests provide no suitable habitat regardless of season. Remote wilderness areas have no escaped pets and are unsuitable for tropical reptiles. Any iguana found in Maine has traveled no distance from where it escaped due to the animal's limited mobility and immediate stress from cold. Most sightings would occur in developed areas within hours of where the animal escaped captivity. For information on Maine's native wildlife, visit theMaine wildlife hub.
Typical Iguana Behavior and Diet
In their natural tropical range and in established populations like those in Florida, iguanas are primarily herbivorous. Adult iguanas spend most of their daylight hours foraging for leaves, flowers, and fruit in trees and shrubs. They are exceptional climbers and often remain in the canopy for extended periods, basking in sunlight to warm their bodies and aid digestion. Iguanas are solitary animals that are highly territorial and only interact with each other during breeding season. They are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight and rest at night in sheltered locations. Young iguanas eat more insects and small animals than adults but gradually shift toward herbivory as they grow. In Maine, an escaped iguana would face immediate survival challenges. The state has no tropical vegetation that iguanas require. Figs, Bursera trees, and other tropical fruits that constitute the iguana diet are not found in Maine. Even if an iguana found some edible vegetation, the cold temperatures would prevent normal digestion and activity. Iguanas are active and feed only when their body temperature is warm enough, typically above 75 degrees. Maine's temperatures are insufficient for normal iguana biology. In their native range, iguanas live 20 or more years, but an escaped iguana in Maine would survive only days or weeks. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Iguanas are not dangerous and do not pose any threat to humans, despite their large size and intimidating appearance. These herbivorous reptiles are not aggressive toward people and will not bite unless they feel absolutely threatened and have no escape route. An escaped iguana in Maine is infinitely more vulnerable than humans are at risk from the iguana. If you encounter an iguana in Maine, immediately contact local animal control or a wildlife rehabilitation center that handles exotic reptiles. The animal requires emergency care and should not be touched by untrained individuals. There are no specific legal protections for iguanas in Maine because they are not native to the state and are classified as exotic pets. However, intentionally releasing an iguana into the wild is considered illegal and constitutes animal cruelty. If you own an iguana in Maine, you must keep it indoors year-round with proper heating, lighting, humidity, and ventilation. Maine's summers are not warm enough for outdoor housing, and any outdoor time is dangerous. Escaped or abandoned iguanas in Maine face rapid death from cold exposure. Show compassion by reporting any sightings to animal control so the animal can receive care. Iguanas deserve proper care and humane treatment.
Species Often Confused with Iguanas
Maine has very few lizard species, and none are likely to be confused with iguanas. The Five-Lined Skink is the only common lizard in southern Maine and is small, shiny, and blue-tailed when young, bearing no resemblance to an iguana. The Fence Lizard reaches only about eight inches long, is brown or tan, and is entirely different from iguanas in size and appearance. Neither of these small lizards has spikes, crests, or the massive size of an iguana. Garter snakes are common in Maine and can reach three feet long, but they are snakes with no limbs and a completely different body structure. The Smooth Green Snake is also present in Maine but is small and unlike any iguana. Painted Turtles and Blanding's Turtles are common in Maine's wetlands but are obviously turtles with shells, moving slowly and lacking any iguana characteristics. If you spot something in Maine and wonder whether it might be an iguana, it is almost certainly a small native lizard or snake. True iguanas are unmistakably large, bright green or gray, and covered with prominent spikes and a distinctive dorsal crest. Any actual iguana in Maine would be immediately recognizable as something exotic and out of place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I see an iguana in Maine? Contact local animal control or a wildlife rehabilitation center immediately. The iguana is an escaped exotic pet facing deadly conditions and needs emergency care. Do not attempt to capture it yourself. Why are there no iguanas in Maine? Maine's location in the northeastern United States creates a climate far too cold for tropical iguanas. Even summer temperatures are insufficient, and winter temperatures are instantly lethal. Could an iguana survive in Maine? An escaped iguana might survive for a few days to a few weeks during peak summer if it found shelter, but it would certainly die as temperatures declined through fall and winter. No breeding population could ever establish. Are iguanas illegal to own in Maine? Iguanas are legal to own in Maine if properly housed indoors with appropriate heating, lighting, and care. Releasing one into the wild is illegal and constitutes animal cruelty. What other reptiles live in Maine? Maine's native reptiles include painted turtles, Blanding's turtles, garter snakes, smooth green snakes, five-lined skinks, and fence lizards. Learn more at theMaine wildlife hub.
Plan your iguana sighting in Maine
There are no verified iguana records for Maine, which fits how uncommon they are here. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Maine
- Acadia National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Frances Perkins National Monument · Find hotels
- Maine Acadian Culture · Find hotels
More places to see iguana
More wildlife in Maine