Short crested iguana
| Short crested iguana | ||||||||||||
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Short crested iguana |
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| Brachylophus fasciatus | ||||||||||||
| ( Brongniart , 1800) |
The short-crested iguana ( Brachylophus fasciatus ) is one of four species of Fijian iguanas .
Appearance
The short-crested iguana reaches an average head-to-trunk length of 17 to 18 centimeters. The total length is around 70 centimeters, so the tail can be over 40 centimeters long. The weight is up to 200 grams. But there are also larger specimens with a length of almost one meter. It is thus a large member of the iguanas family , but smaller than the green iguana , which it looks like. The animals have a flat build. They carry a small, barely visible comb on their backs. The long tail tapers towards the end. The fingers and toes have very long, pointed claws. The female is colored uniformly green. The male, on the other hand, has a ribbon pattern of light green and dark green, thick horizontal stripes on the body, the neck is provided with a light spot.
Short-crested iguana's head
Short crested iguana
Short-crested iguana molting
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Way of life
The short-crested iguana feeds on leaves and other plant material. During the day these animals rest in the canopy of tall trees. Life expectancy is around 10–15 years.
distribution
This species occurs on the islands of the states of Tonga and Fiji . She prefers the woods.
Reproduction
Little is known about reproduction except that these animals do not reach sexual maturity until they are 4 years old. The female lays 5 eggs in a nest.
Hazards and protective measures
The IUCN classifies this species as endangered because of the destruction of its habitat, the introduction of cats, rats, goats and pigs as well as the green iguana, which displaces the short-crested iguana, and the ant species Anoplolepis gracilipes . Cats, rats, pigs destroy the clutches of the animals, the goats eat their habitat bare. In addition, their living space is becoming increasingly smaller due to logging and the construction of roads. This species is not hunted by humans, but there are many wild-caught animals for the zoo trade, although the species is listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention, CITES , and may not be traded. In order to protect the species, the invasive species on the islands are being combated and further research is in progress to coordinate specific protective measures.
Web links
- Brachylophus fasciatus inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016.3. Listed by: Fisher, R., Grant, T. & Harlow, P., 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
- Brachylophus fasciatus in The Reptile Database
literature
- Philip Whitfield (ed.): The great world empire of the animals. Planet Media AG, Zug 1992, ISBN 3-8247-8614-1 , pp. 418-419.
- Wilhelm Eigener: Encyclopedia of Animals. Volume 1, Weltbild Verlag, Augsburg 1991, ISBN 3-89350-360-9 , pp. 254-255.
- Miloš Anděra: Endangered Animals. Translation by Günter Brehmer, Werner Dausien Verlag, Hanau 1998, ISBN 3-7684-2800-1 , p. 4.