Interesting Facts About The Rhinoceros Iguana

Internet Marketing Power Blog | Get Your Piece of The Pie

Rhinoceros Iguana Facts and Fiction

General Habitats Of The Rhinoceros Iguana

The rhinoceros iguana is a close relative of the Galapagos marine iguana. It can be found mainly in the tropical dry forest of the North America Continent, in the Caribbean Islands and the island of Hispaniola. A close relative of the rhinoceros iguana have been spotted on the Nassau Island, but is believed to be extinct. The scientific name of the rhinoceros iguana is the cyclura comuta. We will explain some vital details about the rhinoceros iguana in this article.

Physical Description Of The Rhinoceros Iguana

The rhinoceros iguana is one of the most powerful of the lizard family. Its has a firm crested row of spines at its back and it's body is very stout in size. With it's long legs, it is able to walk with its body elevated above the ground. The male rhinoceros iguana can grow up to 56 cm by length and 10 kg in weight. Like most of the iguanas species, the rhinoceros iguanas regulate their body temperature by means of solar energy.

The skin of the rhinoceros iguana is encrusted with epidermal scales which gives it a rough texture. It's skin color is typically a grey-brown hue and the head is also covered with large scales. Some species even sprouted horns which are possibly formed from these scales.

The males are obviously bigger than the females and are credited to develop bigger horns too.

Diet and Lifestyle Of Rhinoceros Iguana

Iguanas feed mainly on green vegetation and can be seen devouring leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits. The rhinoceros iguanas diet varies based on the season and the onto genetic.

They are known to eat land crabs, insects, and other animal food. The younger rhinoceros iguanas often feed on small insects and animals. These creatures will fiercely defend any special bush or location which is their main source of food, even from other species of their own kind.

During the daytime, they usually spend most of their time eating and then sunbathing under the heat of the sun. At night, they do retreat into the burrows, caves, or into some hollow trunks. The male rhinoceros iguanas are the ones that serve as the defenders of their territories and can be found atop the tall trees and large rocks as their sunbathing areas. They also tend to be hostile towards the rest of the male species and very territorial. The head-bob is used by the rhinoceros iguanas to communicate with one another.

Reproduction Of The Rhinoceros Iguana

The rhinoceros iguanas mating season usually starts in the spring just before the rainy season which comes in the later part of May. The females will excavate their tunnels of about one meter in length to fit in the 34 eggs that they will lay. Typically, the laying of the eggs comes at the earlier part of August. After a period of six months, the eggs start to hatch. The young take after their parents but are considered to be more of tree-dwellers. Their maturity stage settles in after three years and they could live up to about 30 years.

Today, some people opt to keep the rhinoceros iguanas for pets unlike the earlier times when more individuals would happily have these creatures as food.

HOUSEOFMAX REVIEWS