Origin
The Caribbean iguana is a large lizard that lives only in the trees of the Caribbean tropical and mangrove forests. It is one of two species of the genus Iguana that is endangered due to habitat destruction, predators or hunting.
It can be found in the literature under the names: West Indian iguana, Iguane des Petites Antilles, Lesser Antillean iguana or iguana del Caribe. The scientific name" iguana delicatissima " comes from Latin and means extraordinary Iguana. The species was first described by australian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in 1768.
The Caribbean Iguana or Lesser Antillean iguana is an endangered species and is protected in several states. Hunting or capturing them is prohibited.
Feeding the Caribbean Iguana
The Caribbean Iguana is mainly herbivorous. It feeds on leaves, flowers, fruits and buds from over 100 plants. Plant matter contains a lot of potassium and few nutrients.
The reptile has to consume a lot of plant matter to meet the needs of metabolism.
Excess potassium is removed with the help of a nasal gland.
It usually feeds in the morning on plants that for some species are toxic. When opportunities arise, eat meat.
Caribbean iguana features
The Caribbean Iguana has a shorter head and no streaks along the tail. It is larger than the green iguana.
The two species of the genus iguana, namely the green iguana and the Caribbean iguana are most easily distinguished by size, the first being smaller and by the ear hole that is also found in the green iguana.
The color of the Caribbean iguana varies according to specimens on different islands, but the base color is gray with a green tint on the underside. At the head you can see large scales, pink jaws and scales near the eyes have a bluish tinge.
Males are larger than females. They are 40cm long plus 32cm tail length when they are adults. Females are a third smaller weighing just 2.6 kg compared to 3.5 males.
The biggest predators are humans, cats and mongooses.
Caribbean iguana breeding
Dominant males change color to dark gray and during the breeding season the pink pigment in the Jaws is brighter. Females have a bright deep green color throughout the body, except for the tail which is brown. The pups that are born are bright green in color, but with white jaws and three white stripes on the body. When they become adults the White Stripes disappear and the tail will turn brown.
Reproduction is synchronized with the growth of plants in the rainy season. Each dominant male defends its territory occupied by up to 7 females. Females can lay between 8 and 18 eggs. The Burrow is about a meter long and deep in the ground and is large enough for the female to return inside.
The eggs are incubated and warmed by the sun for three months. To begin with, midges spend their lives on the ground, but over time they begin to climb trees. The eggs of the Caribbean Iguana are hunted by snakes, birds, opossums and lizards.
Sexual maturity is reached around the age of 3 years.
Can live up to 15 years.
