Andros Iguana

(Cyclura cychlura cychlura)

IUCN Red List ranking: Vulnerable, with an upgrade to Endangered recommended

Native to Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas, the Andros iguana is the only iguana in the Bahamas (there are 7 taxa here) that is not presently confined to small cays.  For this reason it faces unique pressures and threats. With large tracks of remote and isolated pine barrens, woodland scrub and mangrove flats where poaching is difficult to control, this iguana is subjected to heavy hunting pressures, particularly on the north island.   In fact, this is one of only a few species in the Caribbean where hunting for food is a major factor in their decline. Other threats include habitat loss and predation by feral animals.  Feral hogs root up nests and eat eggs, dogs kill adult iguanas and cats prey heavily on juveniles.  Snake predation has recently emerged as a leading factor in high juvenile mortality. Strikingly beautiful, this species is the only iguana known where females use termite mounds as incubation chambers for their eggs.  Poorly studied until recently, aspects of this iguana's natural history are just starting to be understood.  A large iguana, males may reach a body length of 18.5 inches (476 mm). Due to the remote and extensive habitat, estimating populations is difficult.

For more detailed species information, please refer to the IUCN-ISG Taxonomic Account for Andros Island Iguana, Cyclura cychlura cychlura