Features

The common iguana is green with dark bands that form rings on the tail. Similar to other reptiles, iguanas are also cold-blooded egg-laying animals, with an exceptional ability to adjust to their environment. Species like iguanas vary in color, behavior, size and in relation to their endangered state in the wild.

Different kinds of iguanas vary in their looks and acts. You might not even recognize that they belong in the same family. Some iguanas are dull while others have vivid and bright colors.

Iguanas are found in different habitats so each one has its own unique adaptation. Most iguanas are herbivores that eat flower buds, young leaves and fruits. Some of them also eat the rare juicy mealworm and wax worm.

The Origin of the Rhinoceros Iguana

The rhinoceros iguana is also one of the popular members of the iguanidae family. Its common name is rhinoceros iguana or rhino iguana.

This species got its name “rhinoceros” because of the horn-like shape that is found on the head of the male. They are found mostly in rocky and dry areas. They are infrequently found in trees or in forested areas. The Rhino Iguana is much heavier than the common green iguana but it is not as long as the latter.

The species is composed of large reptiles, heavy-bodied lizards with a homogeneous gray body. The male has a three horn-like protrusions on its head. The common rhino iguana has a total body length of 4.5ft (1.2m) and weighs about 10-20lbs (4.5-9kg).

Rhino iguanas are omnivores, they eat a wide variety of vegetables as well as small mammals, birds and invertebrates. They lay about 15-20 eggs which develop for approximately 75-100 days. Typically, rhino iguanas reach sexual maturity when at two or three years old. The most common rhino iguana lives up to 20 years or more and most of them dwell on dry rock areas and savannas.

Most of the male iguana experience complicated courtship behaviors of head bobbing and erecting the spines along the back. They are normally quite timid and will flee when approached, but during courtship rhino iguana males are aggressive.

Female iguanas also have a horn-like shape but smaller than those in males. Female rhino iguanas mate with several male rhino iguanas and have the ability to hoard sperm.

Rhino iguanas are tremendously territorial and use their long tails as a whip to scare off predators or intruders. The rhino species has the ability to re-grow teeth that were lost during a battle. Territorial battles of male iguanas seldom come to full aggression, though the face off can last for several hours.

Due to its population, rhinoceros iguanas are particularly susceptible to environmental and man-made disturbances. People often eat iguanas as food because of their accessibility and because of somewhat poor economic conditions. Wide-scale sale of iguanas also affects their numbers, while zoos try to protect them. There are also wildlife organizations that protect the species and thus play an important role in the conservation of rhinoceros iguanas and other species.

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