Rhinoceros Iguana - A Powerful Lizard with Unique Features

1. RHINOCEROS IGUANA By Jay Andrews

2. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION • The rhinoceros iguana gets its name from the outgrowths, like horns, on the end of its nose. It is a powerful lizard with a long tail. It is cold-blooded, like other reptiles, and must bask in the sun before it can become active. Dusky-grey or olive-green with dark cross bands that are often barely visible help it blend into its surroundings. There are three bumps on the snout. These bumps are more pronounced in males. The average size is about 2-2.5 feet in length, which is one of the largest of the iguana species. This powerful lizard's body is quite stout and is crested with a row of spines along the back. It has strong legs that enable it to walk with its body well elevated from the ground.

4. DIET • Rhinoceros iguanas have a variable diet both seasonally and ontogenetically. Rhinoceros iguanas are mainly herbivores, eating a wide variety of leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds. They occasionally eat animal food, mainly insects, land crabs, or carrion. Young iguanas in particular may take insects and other small animals. • Rhinoceros iguanas that locate a food source (for example, a fruiting bush) will actively defend it from others of their species.

5. HABITAT • The natural habitat of the rhinoceros iguana is typically described as dry forest, scrub or desert. This biome receives very little rain annually, and the plants and animals that occupy it reflect the sun-drenched, arid environment. Mostly small trees and shrubs, cacti, and mesquite may surround the burrows that the rhinoceros iguana inhabits. • This species is primarily found near coastlines; however, human expansion has forced many populations to retreat further inland. • This species requires warm temperatures and lots of solar radiation. The rhinoceros iguana is typically found in regions where the annual mean temperature is at least 27 degrees Celsius.

6. FACTS • Kingdom: Animalia • Phylum: Chordata • Class: Reptilia • Order: Squamata • Family: Iguanidae • Genus: Cyclura • Status: Vulnerable

7. SCIENTIFIC NAME • Cyclura cornuta

8. REPRODUCTION • Rhino Iguanas are sexually mature between 5 to 9 years of age. Females usually mate with males in April. Their 2 to 3 week breeding season seems to be triggered by the beginning of the first rainy season. The females dig burrows when they are about to lay their eggs. These burrows may tunnel 3 feet before reaching the nest chamber. An average clutch of eggs may range from 5 to 20 eggs. These eggs are usually laid between late June and August. Once the female deposits the eggs, she covers them up with soil. The incubation temperature is about 84 to 88 degrees. The babies will hatch 162 - 187 days later. Rhino Iguana hatchlings are born approximately 7 inches long and are quite active

9. KEEPING IN TOUCH • Vigorous head-bobbing is an important signal in iguana society. High territorial vantage points mean that a head-bob signal can be seen by all iguanas in the area.

10. CoNsErVaTiOn • This species was common in the wild up to the early 1950s. 35% of their original habitat has now been lost. Clearing of forests for firewood is a major problem and introduced cats, dogs and pigs take a heavy toll on adults and eggs. This species is now protected and public education programmes hope to secure its future.

11. THE END BY JAY ANDREWS