Sister Isles Iguana

(Cyclura nubila caymanensis)

IUCN Red List ranking: Critically Endangered

A close relative of the Cuban iguana which it strongly resembles in both size and color, the Sister Isles iguana, as the name suggests, is native to two islands to the south of Cuba, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.  Once abundant on these islands, populations have declined precipitously in recent times, and are clearly in danger of extinction, particularly Cayman Brac where the population numbers fewer than 50 individuals.  The population on Little Cayman is more robust, though juvenile mortality is high due to predation by feral cats.  Threats include habitat destruction due to road construction and development, predation by dogs and cats, disturbance of coastal nesting areas and road kills.  Rapid development for tourism and human population growth will have devastating impacts on this fragile ecosystem and the iguanas.  This is a large iguana, and highly sexually dimorphic, with males much larger than females, reaching a body length of 22.5 inches (570 mm) and 8.5 kg. 

For more detailed species information, please refer to the IUCN-ISG Taxonomic Account for Sister Isles Iguana, Cyclura nubila caymanensis