Cyclura lewisi

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Grand Cayman ground iguana

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Family: Iguanidae
  • Genus: Cyclura
  • Species: lewisi

Common Names by Region

  • Grand Cayman ground iguana (Global)
  • Blue iguana (Local to Grand Cayman)

Description

  • 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.”
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