Jamaican iguana

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iJamaican Iguana
Image:Cyclura collei.jpg
The Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei)
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Sauria
Family: Iguanidae
Genus: Cyclura
Species: C. collei
Binomial name
Cyclura collei
Gray, 1845

The Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei) is endemic to Jamaica. It is the largest land animal in the country and is currently endangered. It is a rock iguana that is approximately 428mm in length in males and about 378mm in length in females. They can reach up to 120cm in length in adulthood. It is green to olive-green in color.

[edit] Distribution

The Jamaican iguana is now only found in the Hellshire hills of Jamaica. It is relegated to two dense populations that consist of scattered individuals. They were once prevalent in the island but are now only found in the dry, rocky, limestone forest areas of St. Catherine. Before it was rediscovered, the iguana was last seen on Goat Island off the coast of Jamaica in 1940.

[edit] References

  • Gibson (1996). Cyclura collei. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2c v2.3)
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