Rhinoceros Iguana

Food: Leaves, flowers, seeds, insects and small mammals
Length: Up to 1.5 m including the tail
Weight: 4.5 kg- 9 kg
Lifespan: Up to 30 years

The Rhinoceros Iguana is a large, ground-dwelling lizard belonging to the iguana family. It can grow up to 150 cm long, including the tail. Males are larger than females and have more prominent horns on the snout, giving the species its name.
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Behavior and habitat:

Rhinoceros iguanas are active during the day and often lie in the sun to regulate their body temperature. They spend their time foraging, and males establish and defend their own territories. At night, they seek shelter in caves, hollow tree trunks, burrows and rock crevices.

These iguanas are strongly attached to dry, rocky terrain and spend almost all their time on the ground.

Reproduction and courtship:‍

Males are very territorial and become particularly aggressive during the mating season. They perform an impressive courtship display, which includes head nodding and raising their spines along their backs, to attract females and scare off rivals.

Females build their nests in the sand or in pits along the coast, where they usually lay and bury 16-17 eggs. The female stays at the nest for a few days to protect it, but then leaves the nest. The eggs later hatch and the young are left to fend for themselves.

Threats and conservation:‍

Rhinoceros iguanas are an endangered species endemic to the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, where they live in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its limited habitat and is strongly affected by environmental degradation and human activities.

Due to the economic situation on the island, iguanas are often hunted as a food source, posing a serious threat to their survival.

Zoos and conservation projects play a crucial role in protecting the Rhinoceros Iguana. Through breeding programs and education initiatives, they work to raise awareness and support the conservation of the species. These efforts also include the protection and restoration of the iguana's natural habitats, with the aim of ensuring the survival of the species for future generations.

‍Rolein the ecosystem:

The Rhinoceros Iguana is vital to the Hispaniola ecosystem and acts as an important seed disperser thanks to its plant-based diet. By eating and dispersing seeds, it contributes to biodiversity and forest regeneration. Its feces also enrich the soil, which benefits growth and other species in the area.

Rhinoceros iguanas dig burrows in their rocky, dry habitats, giving them protection from temperature extremes and predators. These burrows are not only important for the iguanas' survival, but also create microhabitats that benefit other small animals, such as insects and reptiles, by offering them shelter and a place to thrive.