Cuban Rock Iguana
Cyclura nubila
Natural History:
The Cuban Rock Iguana is by far one of the largest species of lizard in the Caribbean and as its name suggests is native to the island of Cuba however populations can also be found in some areas of Puerto Rico where they are considered feral and invasive.
Within their natural range these large lizards are considered vulnerable to extinction where they are susceptible to the growth in agriculture which threatens the available habitat. Cuban Rock Iguanas are also susceptible to the introduction of feral animals such as cats which prey on their young and rats which feed on their eggs. Despite the small population, conservation measures have been taken to try and captive breed these lizards. This initiative has been a model for a number of other Caribbean reptiles currently facing endangerment.
In the wild, these lizards show some maternal instinct where a mother Cuban Rock Iguana will guard her eggs against potential predators, often times in order to better protect her young, the mother iguana will lay her eggs close to cacti to aid in warding off predators. Often times Cuban Rock Iguanas will lay their eggs in holes already dug either by humans or other animals such as the Cuban Crocodile.
The Cuban Rock Iguana is by far one of the largest species of lizard in the Caribbean and as its name suggests is native to the island of Cuba however populations can also be found in some areas of Puerto Rico where they are considered feral and invasive.
Within their natural range these large lizards are considered vulnerable to extinction where they are susceptible to the growth in agriculture which threatens the available habitat. Cuban Rock Iguanas are also susceptible to the introduction of feral animals such as cats which prey on their young and rats which feed on their eggs. Despite the small population, conservation measures have been taken to try and captive breed these lizards. This initiative has been a model for a number of other Caribbean reptiles currently facing endangerment.
In the wild, these lizards show some maternal instinct where a mother Cuban Rock Iguana will guard her eggs against potential predators, often times in order to better protect her young, the mother iguana will lay her eggs close to cacti to aid in warding off predators. Often times Cuban Rock Iguanas will lay their eggs in holes already dug either by humans or other animals such as the Cuban Crocodile.