Rhinoceros iguana plus#
Though not restricted to one single habitat, the iguanas are found most abundantly in scrub woodlands of the Hispaniolan dry forests (characterized by xeric, rocky terrain of eroded limestone with minimal flora), coastal terraces, lowlands of the mainland, plus several offshore islands and small cays, all with slightly different habitat types. Populations in Haiti are even more endangered due to deforestation, poaching for bushmeat, and human clearing practices. There are moderately dense populations in the southeastern region of Haiti and its offshore islands, including the brackish lake of Étang Saumâtre, as well as the Dominican hypersaline Lake Enriquillo and its lake island, Isla Cabritos. Ranging in scattered locations throughout Hispaniola (in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic), populations are stable only on Isla Beata and the extreme of the Barahona Peninsula, inside Jaragua National Park. Distribution and habitat Ī rhinoceros iguana on Limbe Island, Haiti This species, like other species of Cyclura, is sexually dimorphic males are larger than females, and have more prominent dorsal crests and "horns" in addition to large femoral pores on their thighs, which are used to release pheromones. Males possess an adipose pad in the form of a helmet on the occipital region of the head, and a large dewlap. These iguanas are characterized by the growth of bony prominent tubercles on their snouts which resemble horns. Like all reptiles, rhinoceros iguanas are cold-blooded, meaning they need external sources to heat themselves they move as the sun shifts in order to get an optimal internal temperature. Most adults weigh 4.56 to 9 kilograms (10.1 to 19.8 lb). Their color is a uniform gray to brown drab.
A crest of pointed horned scales extends from the nape of their neck to the tip of their tail. The rhinoceros iguana, like other members of the genus Cyclura, is a large-bodied, heavy-headed lizard with strong legs and a vertically flattened tail. The Mona ground iguana ( Cyclura stejnegeri) from Puerto Rico was originally thought to be a subspecies (and still is by some taxonomists), as Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri. cornuta) found on Hispaniola, the other subspecies is the extinct Navassa Island iguana ( C. The species was first identified by Pierre Joseph Bonnaterre in 1789. The rhinoceros iguana's specific name, cornuta, is the feminine form of the Latin adjective cornutus, meaning "horned" and refers to the horned projections on the snouts of males of the species. The rhinoceros iguana is a species of lizard belonging to the genus Cyclura. ricordii) the two species are the only taxa of rock iguana to do so. It is known to coexist with the Ricord's iguana ( C. Their name derives from the bony-plated pseudo-horn or outgrowth which resembles the horn of a rhinoceros on the iguana's snout.
Rhinoceros iguana skin#
A large lizard, they vary in length from 60 to 136 centimetres (24 to 54 in), and skin colours range from a steely grey to a dark green and even brown. Habitat destruction is also an increasing threat to these beautiful reptiles.The rhinoceros iguana ( Cyclura cornuta) is an endangered species of iguana that is endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and its surrounding islands. They are often predated upon by mongoose and birds of prey. She will guard the nest from predators for the first few weeks of their incubation period.ĭue to the introduction of feral species, such as pigs, the rhinoceros iguana is out-competed for food. To show their dominance and impress the females, they will utilise a variety of body movements, including head bobbing to show off their large horn and gyrating their body! After gestation, the female will dig a nest hole with her back foot and lay between 5 to 20 eggs. Male rhinoceros iguanas can be very territorial, particularly during breeding season. Although, they have been known to eat small mammals, carrion and insects. These gorgeous reptiles are perfectly designed to blend into their environment with their olive and grey colouration! Rhinoceros iguanas are omnivores so most of their diet consists of leaves, shrubs, flowers and fruit. Welcome to the Caribbean, right here at Australia Zoo! Our gorgeous rhinoceros iguanas can be spotted exploring their home and basking in the warm Queensland sun.ĭid you know that rhinoceros iguanas acquired their name from the rhino-like horn on the top of their head? These incredible reptiles are native to the tropical Caribbean islands of Hispaniola, Haiti & Dominican Republic. Check out Australia Zoo’s Rhinoceros Iguana!
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