White Cay Iguana

(Cyclura rileyi cristata)

IUCN Red List ranking: Critically Endangered

Occurring on only a single island (White or Sandy Cay) in the southern Exuma Islands in the Bahamas, this species numbers no more than 150 to 200 individuals.  The classic "all eggs in one basket" scenario, White Cay iguanas are especially vulnerable due to their restricted range. This small iguana is also very susceptible to predation by introduced exotic mammals. As an example, a raccoon dumped on the island in the mid-1990s wreaked havoc on this small population by predating a significant number of breeding females and juveniles. Rats are a major threat but were eradicated in 1996.  Other threats include illegal collection for the exotic pet trade.  Current conservation measures will try to expand the population by translocating iguanas to other cays.  This species can reach a body length of 11 inches (280 mm).

For more detailed species information, please refer to the IUCN-ISG Taxonomic Account for White Cay Iguana, Cyclura rileyi cristata