Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana

Cyclura carinata

Endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Turks and Caicos rock iguana, Cyclura carinata, is a stout, ground-dwelling lizard of dry coastal scrub and limestone cays. It is one of the smaller rock iguanas, with a blunt head, strong limbs, a row of dorsal spines, and keeled scales on the tail. Adults are usually gray, brown, or olive with darker banding, and males tend to be larger with heavier heads and femoral pores. These iguanas bask, dig retreats, and feed heavily on leaves, flowers, fruits, and other plant material.

Private ownership is generally restricted by wildlife law and conservation trade rules, so human management is focused on protection in the islands and carefully permitted zoo programs. The main threats are introduced cats, dogs, rats, livestock damage to vegetation, development, and storms that affect small cays. Conservation teams have moved iguanas to predator-free islands, monitored nests and burrows, and used biosecurity to keep restored populations from being reinvaded. In managed care they need hot dry basking areas, strong ultraviolet lighting, deep substrate, and a plant-based diet, along with secure barriers because Cyclura iguanas can dig and push with considerable force.