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258 Featured Specimen
Rhinoceros iguana

Details

Rhinoceros iguana

Cyclura cornuta

Size
0.6–1.2 m · 4.5–9 kg
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan
10-40 years

The rhinoceros iguana is a large iguana of Neotropical drylands and forest. Diurnal and solitary, it feeds mainly on plants.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
NeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It uses dry Caribbean rocky areas, scrub, and coastal woodland. Basking rocks, burrows, and low vegetation are important.

Appearance

Length is about 60-120 cm and weight about 4.5-9 kg. A heavy body, dorsal spines, and horn-like knobs on the snout give it its name.

Behavior

It basks and feeds by day, resting in burrows or rock crevices. Males use head bobs and body postures to signal territories.

Feeding

It is herbivorous, eating leaves, flowers, fruit, and cactus. Plant matter dominates, though occasional other foods may be taken.

Reproduction

Females dig nests in sand or soil and lay eggs. Hatchlings grow while hiding among low vegetation and rocks.

Notes

Its status is listed as Endangered. A limited range makes habitat change and introduced animals serious concerns.