Important Characteristics Of Rhinoceros Iguana

Rhinoceros Iguanas are identified as the related species of Galapagos Marine Iguana. They have their main habitation particularly in Caribbean Sea and Hispaniola islands in North America. There is another species related to Rhinoceros Iguana found in Navassa and that is almost on the verge of extinction. The scientific name for Rhinoceros Iguana is cyclura comuta. Here are some critical characteristics about this species.

Physical characteristics of Rhinoceros Iguana:

This is a very strong type of lizard. It has a firm body, which has a strong crest of its spine and is completely sturdy. It possesses long legs and walks tall on the ground. The Rhinoceros Iguanas have mostly grayish brown color. The male in this species grows up to 56 cms in length and weighs about 10 Kg.
Rhinoceros Iguana has a raspy skin with dermal scales on it. There are also large scales on his head. Some of the species of Rhinoceros Iguana have horns also. These can be comprehended as simple grown up scales. Their males are evidently much larger than females. Males have bigger horns

Diet and Lifestyle of Rhinoceros Iguana:

Rhinoceros Iguana is also a vegetarian species. They eat leaves, seeds, flowers and fruits. Their diet changes as the seasons change. Sometimes they eat insects, animal food, land crabs and carrions. Small animals and insects are pet food for young Rhinoceros Iguanas. The bush or the plant that they select for their food is precious to them. They will guard it from the other species of iguanas.

They spend their lot of time in eating or lying in the sun to get heat. They return to their tunnels and caves or hollow tree trunks at night. Male Rhinoceros Iguana are always on the guard against their predators and they will keep a watch from the top of tree or a rock while bathing in sun. This species is terrestrial type. Males are mostly aggressive to the rest of male species in their territory. They signal to each other by bobbling their heads and keep in touch.

Breeding:

Their breeding season comes in spring season, the night before it starts raining late in the month of May. The females dig the tunnels for laying eggs. The tunnel is about one meter in length and can keep 34 eggs. The laying of eggs starts in early in August. The eggs will hatch after six months. The hatching is without the parent iguanas. The Rhinoceros Iguana becomes grown up adults in 3 years and they have life span of around 30 years.

Rhinoceros Iguanas also get the heat from sun to keep their bodies warm. A few people like to keep Rhinoceros Iguana as pets, unlike eating them.