Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Iguana Forest is our walkthrough habitat home to our green iguana, yellow-footed tortoise and yellow-margined box turtle.
Green iguanas are big sun lovers and on hot days can often be found outside basking on the floor, especially at lunch time. However, like all iguanas, green iguanas have long toes, ending in long, sharp claws that allow them to grip onto branches.
Yellow-footed tortoises are named after the yellow-orange scales on their front legs. Males can determine the gender of other tortoises by watching for head movements. If no head movement is seen after an encounter, the male assumes the other is a female.
These tortoises live for
50 years
in the wild
Green iguanas can spend
30 minutes
underwater at a time
The largest tortoise was
94cm
in length
Green iguanas live for
20 years
in the wild
Animals in Iguana Forest
Green Iguana
Iguana iguana
From: South America
Status: Least Concern
Quick Fact: Iguanas can detach their tails if caught by a predator and grow another.
Find me in: Iguana Forest
Reptiles
Yellow-footed Tortoise
Chelonoidis denticulata
From: South America
Status: Vulnerable
Quick Fact: Yellow-footed tortoises are hunted for food in their native countries.
Find me in: Iguana Forest
Reptiles
Adopt an animal at Colchester Zoo
You will be helping to fund our work, as well as our charity, Colchester Zoological Society, which assists conservation projects all over the world!
