Lesser Antillean green iguana, West Indian iguana
The Lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima ) is a large arboreal lizard. It is one of three species of lizard of the genus Iguana and is in severe decline. Successful captive breeding of this species has been limited to only two instances, as most captive-laid eggs tend to be infertile.
Lesser Antilles iguanas vary in color between different island populations, but the base color tends to be gray, with green splotching on the underside. They have large pale, ivory-colored scales on their heads. The jowls of males are pink and the scales around the eyes are blue. Males also have femoral pores along each inner thigh that exude pheromones during the breeding season. Males of this species are larger than females.
Lesser Antillean iguanas are throughout the Lesser Antilles on Saint Barth, Anguilla, St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Martinique. They inhabit scrub woodlands, rainforests, and mangroves.
Lesser Antillean iguanas spend their time singly and interact with each other only during the mating season. They are at home both, in threes and on the ground. They are active during the days spending their time either foraging for food or basking in sun. Males of this species tend to be more territorial than females and fiercely defend their territory against other males. Lesser Antillean iguanas shelter in burrows which they dig themselves and usually don’t leave too far even when searching for food.
Lesser Antillean iguanas are herbivores. Their diet includes leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, and growing shoots of upwards of 100 different species of plant.
Little is known about the mating system of Lesser Antillean iguanas. They breed between April and June. During this time males perform displays in order to attract females. About 6 months later after mating, females travel to coastal areas where they can find suitable areas for egg burrows. Each female will lay a clutch of 4 to 30 eggs which are incubated for about 3 months. The young are independent at hatching and become reproductively mature between 3 and 6 years of age.
The biggest threat to the Lesser Antillean iguana comes from its own relative the Green iguana. The Green iguana has been introduced to the Lesser Antilles as an invasive species and directly competes with the Lesser Antillean iguana for food and resources. In addition, the Green iguana has been interbreeding with the Lesser Antillean iguana and this hybridization has been the number one reason for the latter species' decline on numerous islands. Other serious threats to the Lesser Antellean iguana include habitat loss to agriculture and development and the introduction of feral predators such as dogs, cats, and mongooses.
According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Lesser Antillean iguana is 13,000-20,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.
