Northern Bahamian rock iguana
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Cyclura cychlura

The northern Bahamian rock iguana (Cyclura cychlura ) is a species of lizard of the genus Cyclura that is found on Andros Island and the Exuma islands in the Bahamas. Its status on the IUCN Red List is vulnerable, with a wild population of less than 5,000 animals.

Appearance

This species, like other species of Cyclura, is sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and have more prominent femoral pores on their thighs which are used to release pheromones.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

This species only occurs in the southwestern Bahamas. 18,000 years ago during the last ice age and the sea level was much lower, many of the islands of the Bahamas were connected to each other and this species probably existed in an unbroken population, the relict populations now inhabit Andros Island and the Exuma islands.

Habits and Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition

Population

Population number

In 2004 the IUCN assessed the species as a whole to be "vulnerable", although each of the three subspecies were assessed as endangered. The current global population of all three subspecies was estimated at less than 5,000 members and was thought to be declining. The population had decreased by at least 50% over the last 60 years.

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In 2004 the IUCN listed the main threats to this lizard depended on the islands where the different subspecies came from; with the Andros Island population to be threatened by logging, infrastructure development, feral animals and fires set for agricultural or crab-hunting reasons. The populations from the Exumas were imperilled due to feral animals (goats), fires caused by tourists, and rapid private land acquisition (primarily for tourism purposes). Development, fire and feral animals had caused a reduction in area of suitable habitat of at least 20% over the previous 30 years. Feral animals which pose a threat to the iguanas are cats, dogs, hogs and goats. Dogs prey upon juvenile and adult iguanas, hogs eat their eggs. All populations were still occasionally being hunted for meat or for the pet trade according to the IUCN in 2004. An 2002 article in the Miami Herald quoted an officer of the Bahamas' Department of Agriculture who stated iguanas were still sometimes hunted and eaten, albeit rarely.

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References

1. Northern Bahamian rock iguana Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Bahamian_rock_iguana
2. Northern Bahamian rock iguana on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6035/12356382

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