Blue iguana images (Cyclura lewisi) - stock photos showing this endangered lizard endemic to Grand Cayman Island
Conservation status | Endangered
Scientific classification | Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Reptilia > Order: Squamata > Suborder: Iguania > Family: Iguanidae > Genus: Cyclura > Species: C. lewisi
Binomial name | Cyclura lewisi
The blue iguana, Cyclura lewisi, also known as the Grand Cayman ground iguana,...
more »Blue iguana images (Cyclura lewisi) - stock photos showing this endangered lizard endemic to Grand Cayman Island
Conservation status | Endangered
Scientific classification | Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Reptilia > Order: Squamata > Suborder: Iguania > Family: Iguanidae > Genus: Cyclura > Species: C. lewisi
Binomial name | Cyclura lewisi
The blue iguana, Cyclura lewisi, also known as the Grand Cayman ground iguana, Grand Cayman blue iguana or Cayman Island rock iguana, is a large blue-gray lizard endemic to Grand Cayman Island. Research and DNA analysis determined this lizard to be a distinct species of iguana and not merely a subspecies of the Cuban Iguana, Cyclura nubila, as was previously thought. In addition to its distinctive blue-gray color, it has orange eyes, and spines on its back running from its neck to its tail. It is one of the rarest lizards on earth and is considered Endangered.
Blue iguanas are primarily herbivorous, and eat fruit, flowers, mushrooms, and leaves, and opportunistically, insect larvae, crabs, slugs, and carrion. They are believed capable of surviving for decades in their natural environment, barring predation, and one individual captive blue iguana in Brownsville, Texas, named Godzilla, survived to an estimated 69 years in captivity.
During the mating season, the blue coloring of this species is readily apparent, as males become a brighter blue. They perform a bobbing head movement as a kind of mating signal. After copulation, female blue iguanas lay from one to 22 large eggs in June or July in burrows they dig from the ground exposed to the sun. The temperature in the nest remains a constant 32 degrees C (90 degrees F). The mother disguises the nest by scattering leaves and debris over it. After incubation, hatchlings emerge from the soil one by one and scatter into nearby vegetation, where they are often preyed upon by snakes, rats, and other predators.
The primary threat to the blue iguana has been habitat loss, as fruit farms on Grand Cayman have been converted to grassland for livestock. Increased development has also reduced habitat, and has brought with it cats, dogs and rats, which are known to prey on lizard eggs and hatchlings, and sometimes adults. Traffic causes road kills, and some iguanas are captured for the pet trade.
Since blue iguanas have become a tourist attraction in Grand Cayman, there is hope for the survival of the species, but mainly due to captive breeding programs. Recovery programs on Grand Cayman aim to build a managed population of up to 1,000 blue iguanas born in captivity and released into protected reserves. There are also off-island projects in US zoos aimed at preserving the species should a disaster or disease strike the remaining blue iguanas on Grand Cayman. They are listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
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