The green iguana is an endangered species of lizard, native to Grand Cayman Island.
This large lizard has jointed toes that help it dig and climb trees very effectively.
The skin color of adult males ranges from dark gray to turquoise blue, while females are more olive green to light blue.
Juveniles tend to be a uniform dark brown or green color with darker banding.
Adults change color to blue when they are in the presence of other iguanas to signal and establish territory. The blue color is more pronounced in males of the species.
Males are also larger and have a more prominent dorsal crest as well as larger pores on their thighs, which are used to release pheromones .
– Distribution – Green iguanas can be found throughout Grand Cayman Island except the urban areas of Bodden Township, Gun Bay, Seven Mile Beach and West Bay.
Currently they only occur inland in areas with naturally dry shrubs and prefer to live in rocky, sunny , open areas in dry forests or near the coast.
They can also be found along interfaces between open spaces in farms, roads and gardens.
– Habits and lifestyle – Green iguanas are solitary creatures and only come together to reproduce. They are active during the day and sleep at night in rock holes and tree holes .
As adults, green iguanas are primarily terrestrial , although they can climb trees 15 feet (4.6 m) or more. Younger individuals tend to be more arboreal.
– Diet and nutrition – Green iguanas are herbivores (leaf eaters, fruit eaters). They eat leaves, flowers and various fruits. They very rarely eat insects, crabs, slugs and mushrooms.
– Mating habits – Green iguanas breed from May to June. The male woos the female with many head shakes, then reaches behind the female and grabs her by the nape of the neck.
About 40 days after mating, the female digs a nest in sun-exposed soil bags and lays there a clutch of 1 to 21 eggs, usually in June or July.
The temperature in the nest monitored by the researchers remained constant at 32°C (90°F) throughout the incubation period , which ranged from 65-90 days.
Juveniles become territorial from about 3 months of age onwards . They usually reach reproductive maturity after 4 years of age in captivity.
– Population threats – Green iguanas may have been abundant before European colonization, however, by 2003, fewer than 15 species remained in the wild; This wild population is predicted to become extinct in the first decade of the 21st century.
Habitat destruction is the main factor threatening the extinction of this salamander. Clearance of remaining habitat is ongoing for agriculture, road construction, real estate development and speculation .
The conversion of traditional cropland to livestock pasture is eliminating secondary habitat for the Green Iguana.
Predation and injury to young, juveniles and juveniles by feral cats by feral rats, as well as the killing of adults by pet dogs are all placing heavy pressure on the remaining wild population.
Cars and motorbikes are a growing cause of death because iguanas rarely survive collisions.
– Quantity – According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Green Iguana is 443 adult individuals. Currently, this species is classified as endangered (EN) in the IUCN Red List but the number is increasing today.
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