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Rhinoceros Iguana
Cyclura cornuta
Biology
According to some scientists, there are three subspecies of
Rhinoceros iguana, of which the Navassa Island Rhino iguana (Cyclura
cornuta onchioppsis) is believed to be extinct. The most numerous
subspecies, the Rhino iguana Cyclura cornuta cornuta, lives on
the island Hispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic). The other living
subspecies is the Mona Island Rhino iguana Cyclura cornuta
stegjnegeri which is found on Mona Island, near Puerto Rico.
However, other scientists support the view that these varieties are all
separate species in stead of subspecies of C. cornuta. The Rhino
iguana you see on this page is the one from Hispaniola.
The Rhino iguana gets its name from the three horn-lik outgrowths on its
nose. These are present in both males and females, but they are usually
more pronounced in males. Males can reach a length of 56 cm, females 51
cm (without tail - with tail up to 120 cm). Weight is up to 10 kg
(males) or 5.4 kg (females); the Mona Island individuals are generally
smaller. Colours are greyish, brown or olive green. They have good
hearing, smell and excellent eyesight.
Rhino iguanas prefer a dry, rocky habitat covered with cactus and thorny
bushes. Sometimes they are also found in scrub woodlands and somewhat
more moist forests. The males have a territory, which they vigorously
defend against other males. The strongest males will have the largest
territory, with good hiding places, nice spots for basking in the sun,
and access to females. Rhino iguanas are ground dwellers but will
occasionally climb to reach fruits or a good spot for sun basking. Their
food consists mainly of leaves and fruit, but they will also eat eggs,
carrion and sometimes small animals (insects, worms, crabs, mice). They
are active by day and sleep in burrows in the ground at night.
The breeding season starts in April, at the beginning of the rainy
season, and lasts for about two weeks. About 40 days after mating, the
female lays 5-20 eggs in a burrow in the sand. These hatch 162-187 days
later. After 5-9 years the animals reach sexual maturity, and they have
a life span of 20-40 years, or even longer in captivity.
Wild populations of Rhinoceros iguana are threatened by habitat
destruction, hunting for food and pet trade, and the introduction of
predators such as cats, dogs, mongoose and pigs.
This page is courtesy of Suzanne ter Huurne and used with her
permission. She retains all copyrights. To visit her original page click
the following link. Thanks Suzanne.http://www.dierinbeeld.nl/animal_files/reptiles_amphibians/rhinoceros_iguana/
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at
info@dierinbeeld.nl
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