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The rhinoceros iguana is more commonly referred to as cyclura comuta which is its binomial name. An iguana closely related to the rhinoceros iguana is the Galapagos marine iguana. It is most commonly found in North America and it generally occupies dry tropical forests mainly those in the Hispaniola Island and in the Caribbean Sea. An iguana deemed to be extinct has been sighted on Navassa Island. This particular iguana is related to the rhinoceros iguana.
Some Important facts about the rhinoceros iguana
1. Physical Attributes
This iguana is known for its great power. It is quite robust and has a body covered with a rigid row of spines. The long length of its legs allows it to walk without its body touching the ground. Its color is grey-brown. An adult male rhinoceros iguana can weigh up to ten kilograms and have a length of up to fifty-six centimeters.
Epidermal scales on the skin of the rhinoceros iguana give it a rough texture. Enlarged scales on the head of some of them resemble horns and hence the root of the word rhino in its name. The male possess much bigger horns than females and are also correspondingly larger in body size. This feature can also be used to help distinguish the male from the female.
2. Lifestyle and Diet of the Rhinoceros Iguana
Iguanas are primarily herbivores. Their diet mainly consists of fruits, flowers, leaves and seeds although this diet may vary based on the current season. They may from time to time consume insects, land crabs and even carrion. Small animals and insects are often eaten by young iguanas. The rhinoceros iguana will defend a specific bush it has deemed its food source from other iguanas. This particular habit indicates the territorial nature of this iguana.
Eating and basking under sunlight are the two main activities that take up most of the iguana’s time. The iguanas then withdraw into their caves, burrows or hollow trunks during the night. The role of defenders of territories is taken up by the male rhinoceros iguana. It is commonly found on top of large rocks and tall trees on which they sunbathe. The male rhinoceros iguana is very territorial and is aggressive towards other male iguanas. The head-bob is a signal used by the rhinoceros iguanas to communicate between them.
4. Reproduction among the Rhinoceros Iguana
The rhinoceros iguana mates during spring in the later part of May. This is also prior to the commencement of the rainy season. The females lay up to 34 eggs and thus build tunnels approximately one meter in length for them. Egg laying typically occurs at an earlier period. Hatching of eggs begins after an interval of up to six months. The hatchlings are thought of as tree-dwellers although they often follow their parents. Their life span could reach up to thirty years, but they more commonly die after twenty odd years. However, their stage of maturity is evident after only three years.
In a similar way to other iguanas, a rhinoceros iguana will use sunlight to regulate the temperatures of its body. In earlier days, the rhinoceros iguana was a source food for man. In contrast, it is kept as a pet these days by many people and is rarely hunted or bred for consumption purposes.
Some Important facts about the rhinoceros iguana
1. Physical Attributes
This iguana is known for its great power. It is quite robust and has a body covered with a rigid row of spines. The long length of its legs allows it to walk without its body touching the ground. Its color is grey-brown. An adult male rhinoceros iguana can weigh up to ten kilograms and have a length of up to fifty-six centimeters.
Epidermal scales on the skin of the rhinoceros iguana give it a rough texture. Enlarged scales on the head of some of them resemble horns and hence the root of the word rhino in its name. The male possess much bigger horns than females and are also correspondingly larger in body size. This feature can also be used to help distinguish the male from the female.
2. Lifestyle and Diet of the Rhinoceros Iguana
Iguanas are primarily herbivores. Their diet mainly consists of fruits, flowers, leaves and seeds although this diet may vary based on the current season. They may from time to time consume insects, land crabs and even carrion. Small animals and insects are often eaten by young iguanas. The rhinoceros iguana will defend a specific bush it has deemed its food source from other iguanas. This particular habit indicates the territorial nature of this iguana.
Eating and basking under sunlight are the two main activities that take up most of the iguana’s time. The iguanas then withdraw into their caves, burrows or hollow trunks during the night. The role of defenders of territories is taken up by the male rhinoceros iguana. It is commonly found on top of large rocks and tall trees on which they sunbathe. The male rhinoceros iguana is very territorial and is aggressive towards other male iguanas. The head-bob is a signal used by the rhinoceros iguanas to communicate between them.
4. Reproduction among the Rhinoceros Iguana
The rhinoceros iguana mates during spring in the later part of May. This is also prior to the commencement of the rainy season. The females lay up to 34 eggs and thus build tunnels approximately one meter in length for them. Egg laying typically occurs at an earlier period. Hatching of eggs begins after an interval of up to six months. The hatchlings are thought of as tree-dwellers although they often follow their parents. Their life span could reach up to thirty years, but they more commonly die after twenty odd years. However, their stage of maturity is evident after only three years.
In a similar way to other iguanas, a rhinoceros iguana will use sunlight to regulate the temperatures of its body. In earlier days, the rhinoceros iguana was a source food for man. In contrast, it is kept as a pet these days by many people and is rarely hunted or bred for consumption purposes.
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