Description: Bright emerald green iguanas. Males have white to blue bands with spots or stripes on the neck. Females are also a bright green color overall and may have spots or partial bands. Crest spines are very small in size as compared to other iguanids.

Distribution: Fiji and Tonga Islands.

Habitat: Fijian iguanas are diurnal and arboreal. They utilize tree canopies for cover and food.

This and other species of Fijian iguanas represent a highly understudied sector of iguana conservation. In 2005, the IIF granted Peter Harlow and Suzanne Morrison funding to conduct a natural history and conservation biology study on the Fijian crested iguana. Since then, the IIF has provided additional grants to fund research in the phylogeny and natural history of Fijian iguanas. With marked declines continuing and the critical status of the entire genus increasing, additional studies were needed. Due to the large geographic range, many areas had not been adequately sampled. In 2009 the IIF approved a grant to fund studies that would fill in the gaps of knowledge in natural history of Fijian iguanas. During this study 15 priority islands were surveyed and, among the most notable results, a new species of crested iguana was discovered. Additionally, this research identified potential populations and areas to be recommended for national park status due to more robust populations of native iguanas as well as areas that required additional monitoring due to the introduction of invasive green iguanas.

The International Iguana Foundation has approved another grant for Fijian iguana conservation to take place in 2011.

For information on conservation, management, and how the IIF is working to save this species, please see the projects section.

The future protection of these magnificent species can be furthered by your donation.

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