Rhinoceros Iguana

Cyclura cornuta

The rhinoceros iguana, Cyclura cornuta, is a large rock iguana native to Hispaniola and a few nearby Caribbean islands, especially dry scrub, limestone flats, and coastal thorn forest. Adults are heavy-bodied lizards with strong limbs, a high row of dorsal spines, gray to olive-brown skin, and the blunt hornlike scales on the snout that give the species its name. Like other Cyclura iguanas, it spends much of its time basking, using rock crevices or burrows for shelter, and feeding mainly on leaves, flowers, fruits, and other plant material.

In captivity, rhinoceros iguanas are best suited to experienced keepers, reptile facilities, and zoos that can provide hot basking zones, strong UVB or real sunlight, and large escape-proof enclosures. Adults are powerful and long-lived, and males may be territorial, so handling and pairing require planning rather than casual contact. Diets are usually built around high-calcium greens, vegetables, flowers, and limited fruit. Conservation work for the species includes habitat protection, control of introduced predators, and assurance colonies because wild populations are pressured by development, hunting, and nest loss.