Jamaican Iguana The Most Endangered And Rarest Lizard In The World

The Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei) is the Island’s largest vertebrate. The iguana is endemic to Jamaica but due to various factors is currently critically endangered. The Jamaican Iguana is one of the most endangered and rarest lizard in the world.

The Jamaican Iguana was once found in abundance on the Great Goat Island and Little Goat Island. The Chinese took an interest in buying the two islands but were rejected after the Jamaican people protested the decision.

Table of Contents

Anatomy

The Jamaican iguana is large and weighty with mainly green—blue in color with dark green streaks along the shoulders.

Nesting females are dark red or brown in color and are mostly found in the hellshire hills. Male iguanas can grow to appropriately 17 inches in length while the females tend to max out at 15 inches.

Diet

The Jamaican iguanas are mostly herbivores, eating mainly leaves, flowers and over 100 different species of fruits. The iguana also eats small snails and insects to help supplements it’s diet.

Between 1944 and 1990 it was believed that the entire species was extinct. However in 1999 a pig hunter by the name of Mr. Edwin Duffus discovered an iguana in the Hellshire Hills. He brought the Iguana to the Hope Zoo, started a movement and dedicated his life in discovering more iguanas. Other iguanas were found which helped to repopulate the entire species.

Reasons For The Jamaican Iguana Decline

The iguana population began to decrease when settlers invaded the island, taking the land from the indigenous Arawak Indians who would often hunt and eat the large lizards.

Invasive Species — Mongoose

Side View Of A Mongoose On Field
Photo taken in Delhi, India
Nisha Sharma / EyeEm
1202937970
Creative royaltyfree

The Small Asian Mongooses was introduced to Jamaica to help curb the growing snake problem. Once the snakes were almost eradicated the mongoose turnt its sights on the iguanas.

Other Factors

Other factors for the rapid decline in the Iguana’s population includes.

Excessive farming
Over population of settlers
Natural habitat destroyed
Excessive charcoal burning
Wild hogs hunts their eggs

Recovering The Iguana’s Population

There are currently 12 zoos preserving the Jamaican Iguana with Hope Zoo being the main one ensuring this species of lizard is well taken care of.

The lizards are often screened for diseases and parasites that may harm or even kill them. Since 2006 the Indianapolis Zoo has over 22 Jamaican Iguanas available and this number is growing.