THE IGUANA & WATER DRAGON The term iguana refers to a large species of typically New World lizards. Lizards are part of the subclass Lepidosauria which in recent years has been considered a subdivisions of the super order, Dinosauria. Iguanas regularly grow to more than 1.5 m (5 ft) in total length. Marine iguanas will often swim along shore but can dive to depths more than 10.5 m (35 ft), remaining submerged for up to 30 minutes feeding on algae. Their sharp spines and tough, flat faces give them a foreboding appearance. When approached, marine iguanas can puff a kind of steam through their noses, intimidating predators like the dragons of old! The common iguana eats both plants and animals, including leaves and fruit, insects, birds, and small mammals. The well-known dinosaur Iguanodon received its name because its teeth resembled those of the iguana. To the left is the sail-tailed Water Dragon (Hydrosaurus amboinensis) which grows over 1 m (3 ft.) in length and usually lives near streams in Asia. Aided by fringes on the toes of its hind feet, it can run on the surface of the water for some distance before sinking and swimming away.