Fun Lesser Antillean Iguana Facts For Kids
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There are a total of 45 species of iguana. The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is the most popular and widespread breed in the family.
Lesser Antillean iguanas belong to the same family and are known as a sister species of the green iguana. The Lesser Antillean iguana is a species seen in Martinique, Dominica, and Saint Barthelemy, in the West Indies, and the Antillean iguana is also known as the West Indian iguana.
They are primarily herbivores in nature and eat a plant-based diet. Owing to rapid changes in climate and habitat destruction their population size has been affected drastically.
Did you know that a species of iguana was featured in the film 'The Terminator', where the character Sarah owns a pet iguana named 'Pugsey'. Iguanas have also made an appearance in cartoons including 'Quack Pack', where Daisy owns an iguana called Knuckles. If you liked this article, please check out monitor lizard facts and water dragon facts.
Lesser Antillean Iguana Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a Lesser Antillean Iguana?
The Lesser Antillean Iguana is a type of iguana that belongs to the Animalia kingdom and the order Squamata.
What class of animal does a Lesser Antillean Iguana belong to?
Lesser Antillean iguanas belong to the class Reptillia, family Iguanidae, and genus Iguana.
How many Lesser Antillean Iguanas are there in the world?
Lesser Antillean iguanas are critically endangered and only 13,000 to 20,000 individuals still exist as per data collected. 10,000 to 15,000 individuals of the iguana population are based in Dominica.
Their populations are said to have experienced declines from then on. Iguana population densities around the world have experienced a decline due to conservation issues including loss of habitat, deforestation, and other illegal practices like hunting, poaching, road casualties, and others.
Where does a Lesser Antillean Iguana live?
The Lesser Antillean iguana is endemic to the Caribbean. Apart from this, they are seen living in woodlands, tropical rainforests, and scrublands.
They spend the majority of their time in the canopy and are seldom seen on the forest floor. Iguanas are also seen in parts of Central America, South America, and other parts of the world in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
What is a Lesser Antillean Iguana's habitat?
The Lesser Antillean iguana's habitat structure constitutes the forest canopy regions, islands, and stones. Overbrowsing continues to cause a shift in plant species composition and habitat structure. They are seldom seen on the forest floor and have been rapidly affected due to habitat loss, hunting, and the presence of possible predators. The hybridization of species impacts their population.
Who do Lesser Antillean Iguanas live with?
Lesser Antillean iguanas live solitary lives however, in some instances they are seen with other species of their own kind, namely the young offspring with their parents. They coexist with other species in the wild and are territorial beings.
How long does a Lesser Antillean Iguana live?
The average lifespan of Lesser Antillean iguanas is 15 to 25 years however, this depends on various factors like their habitat and other external factors which support their sustenance. The oldest iguana is residing in Australia and has reached the age of 40. This species is owned by the famous Irwin family and is a species of Rhino Iguana.
How do they reproduce?
Males and females of the Iguana species are polyandrous and reproduce until they die. They reach sexual maturity by four years mostly and courtship occurs in a defined territory. Like most species of lizards, they lay eggs in nests.
There are multiple females in one courtship territory. Male reproductive organs are present internal to their body.
Females can produce their clutch without the presence of a male. The eggs laid in such a scenario have a high probability to be stuck to one another, leading to complications for their offspring. The juveniles stay with the families in the initial few weeks of their lives.
What is their conservation status?
The Lesser Antillean iguana is considered a critically endangered species by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN). This is primarily due to the destruction of their habitat.
If care is not taken these species, too, will soon reach the verge of extinction. There have been various initiatives and action plans drawn out to sustain the Lesser Antillean iguana.
Lesser Antillean Iguana Fun Facts
What do Lesser Antillean Iguanas look like?
The Lesser Antillean iguana resembles a monitor lizard but is smaller and more colorful. Their base color tends to be gray with green splotching on the underside. They have large, pale, ivory-colored scales on their heads. Their snout is prominently seen in both males and females.
How cute are they?
Young iguanas are a smaller version of their parents and are extremely cute. Adults, too, are exotic beings.
How do they communicate?
They react with a hissing sound which is similar to the bark of a dog which suggests that they probably don't want you to continue with what you've been doing or they disapprove. They also make use of their lick to understand more about an individual.
They also make use of various other channels to communicate to other species, their own kind, and others.
How big is a Lesser Antillean Iguana?
Adult males are 17in (43cm) and females are 15in (38cm) which is times bigger than the smallest lizard, the nano chameleon, which is just 13.55mm long.
How fast can a Lesser Antillean Iguana move?
They are extremely sensitive to vibrations and sounds and can sense a predator from a distance even predators over their heads. They have relatively good speeds and primarily reside in canopies which saves them from most danger.
How much does a Lesser Antillean Iguana weigh?
The Lesser Antillean iguana's weight depends on their diet and environment. Males typically weigh 7.7lb (3.49kg) and females 5.5lb (2.49). The blue iguana is said to be the heaviest and weighs 30lbs.
What are their male and female names of the species?
Adult iguanas are not addressed differently. They differ in size and weight and also in reproductive functions.
What would you call a baby Lesser Antillean Iguana?
Baby Lesser Antillean iguanas are smaller versions of their parents and are referred to as hatchlings. They are not used to being handled hence they need to be given time to adjust to being picked up. Taking care of baby iguanas is simple as long as all their dietary and habitat requirements are taken care of.
What do they eat?
They are primarily herbivores in nature and feed on flowers, fruit, leaves, and shoots. They begin by biting into the sides first and then move to the center. Starvation is one of the notable causes of iguana mortalities. If they do not find appropriate flora to feed on they can die of starvation.
Are they poisonous?
They produce harmless venom and also possess sharp teeth. The Lesser Antillean iguana's temperament is more or less controllable as long as they are not troubled then they won't attack.
Their predators include dogs and cats. They usually hide in canopies and if they are on the ground they are capable of digging deep holes to save themselves from predators.
Would they make a good pet?
Lesser Antillean iguanas are not available to purchase as a pet since their population is at threat, however other species of iguanas are still a popular choice of the pet by various people who wish to keep them and take care of them. Looking at them almost gives a unique feel, like looking at some alien species.
Their appearance instantly catches the eye since they are not widely seen.
How did Lesser Antillean Iguanas get their name?
The Caribbean island grouping is known as Lesser Antillean is where these iguanas are primarily found, hence their name. The word 'iguana' is derived from Spanish.
Are Lesser Antillean iguanas endangered?
Currently, only 13,000 to 20,000 individuals exist as per data collected. 10,000 to 15,000 individuals of the iguana population are based in Dominica.
Their populations are said to have experienced declines from then on. The population is considered to be critically endangered and one of the major reasons is habitat loss.
Iguana population densities around the world have experienced a decline due to conservation issues including loss of habitat, deforestation, and other illegal practices like hunting, poaching, road casualties, killing by guard dogs, and others. The International Reptile Conservation Foundation is one such organization that is dedicated to protecting iguanas.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles including sand lizard facts, or blue-tongued skink facts.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Lesser antillean iguana coloring pages.
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