Rhinoceros iguana
| Rhinoceros iguana | ||||||||||||
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Rhinoceros iguana ( Cyclura cornuta ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Cyclura cornuta | ||||||||||||
| ( Bonnaterre , 1789) |
The rhinoceros iguana ( Cyclura cornuta ) is an endangered species of lizard from the genus whorl-tailed iguanas ( Cyclura ), which is mainly native to Hispaniola and the surrounding smaller islands.
features
The species got its name because of the 3 small horns that adorn the snout. The animals reach a length of 1.5 meters and a weight of about 10 kilograms.
Way of life
Rhinoceros iguanas live on the ground, where they dig caves between crevices with their powerful claws. Like other iguanas , they can also climb trees. The animals live together in small colonies. Rival fights take place among the males during the mating season, and later fights for the best laying places among the females.
After about 3–4 months, 15–20 eggs are laid in a brood cavity. After about 100 days the young hatch, which are already about 30 cm long and 45 grams heavy. Rhinoceros iguanas are sexually mature after 5–6 years . Life expectancy in the wild is around 25 years, in captivity up to 40 years.
Rhinoceros iguanas mainly eat plant-based food, but rarely also insects and small animals .
Subspecies
There are three subspecies:
- Cyclura cornuta cornuta on Hispaniola and surrounding smaller islands.
- † Cyclura cornuta onchiopsis on Navassa
- Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri on the Isla de Mona
threat
The species is endangered because it is often the sole source of meat for the human population in its homeland. Another factor is the reduction in their living space. The trade in rhinoceros iguanas is prohibited under the Washington Convention . The sale of offspring with appropriate certificates is allowed. Breeding conservation programs are running in many zoological gardens .
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Web links
- Cyclura cornuta in The Reptile Database
- Cyclura cornuta in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 1996. Posted by: Otten Walder, J., 1996. Accessed September 14, 2012 found.