Size: Adults typically measure 20–30 inches in length, with some reaching up to 5 feet including the tail.
Weight: Can weigh up to 30 pounds, with males being larger and more robust than females.
Appearance: Characterized by their striking blue-gray coloration, which intensifies in males during mating season. They have heavy body scales, a prominent crest of spiny scales along their back, and large, rounded heads.
Behavior: Terrestrial and diurnal, primarily active during the day. They are known for basking in the sun and retreating to rock crevices or burrows for shelter.
Lifespan: Up to 40 years in the wild, with captive individuals living even longer, often exceeding 50 years.
Habitat and Range
Native Habitat: Dry forests and rocky shrublands on Grand Cayman, preferring areas with access to sunlight and open spaces for basking.
Geographic Range: Endemic to Grand Cayman Island. Once widespread, their range is now limited due to habitat loss and predation.
Diet
Primary Diet: Herbivorous, feeding on a variety of leaves, flowers, fruits, and occasionally fungi.
Foraging Behavior: Opportunistic feeders that play a crucial role in seed dispersal within their ecosystem.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Mating Season: Occurs in May and June.
Reproductive Strategies: Females lay eggs in nests dug in sandy soil or sunny patches. Clutches range from 5–20 eggs, which incubate for 65–90 days before hatching.
Hatchling Behavior: Hatchlings are independent immediately after emerging and must evade predators like birds and snakes.
Conservation Status
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Threats: Habitat destruction, invasive species (such as feral cats and dogs), and human activities.
Conservation Efforts: Intensive breeding and habitat restoration programs on Grand Cayman have led to a steady increase in the population. Organizations like the Blue Iguana Recovery Program have been instrumental in these efforts.
Additional Notes
Special Features: Known for their remarkable color changes and territorial behavior during mating season.
Ecological Role: A vital seed disperser, contributing to the health of Grand Cayman’s native plant life.
Cultural Significance: Considered a symbol of Grand Cayman’s natural heritage, often referred to as a “living treasure.”