Trouble in Paradise: Rock Iguanas on the Edge
By Charles Knapp, Ph.D., IIF Board Member, Iguana Specialist Group Co-chair, and Conservation Director at Shedd Aquarium
Tropical islands brim with wildlife: brightly feathered and boisterous birds, towering palm trees and, of course, scaly lizards. Scurrying up trees or slipping between twigs and leaves, lizards are thought to be a common sight on most tropical islands. Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, many lizards are disappearing before our eyes.
Reign of the Rock Iguanas
As the largest native animals on these islands, rock iguanas have peaceably munched leaves and nibbled fruit for millennia. Without natural predators, adult iguanas had little to fear. But when Amerindians canoed north from South America about one to two thousand years ago, the iguanas’ tranquil existence began to change. People began hunting the lizards for food and possibly transporting them between islands.
But the real threat to iguanas arrived in the 16th century on European ships: eager and often overzealous human hunters, who also brought habitat destruction and the arrival of domestic animals and livestock. Today, introduced cats, dogs, hogs, goats, and even mongoose gobble up iguana food, trample their nests, and even kill adult lizards. Burgeoning human populations and increased tourism can also damage or destroy iguana habitat. Once abundant, all 10 species of rock iguanas are listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Why Save Iguanas?
Some might ask, so what? Why should we care about the plight of rock iguanas? Because our tropical paradises wouldn’t be the same without them. As top-level herbivores in their island ecosystems, rock iguanas promote plant growth through repeated pruning, spread seeds to new areas, and provide nutrients to developing seedlings. As human development fragments dry forests, iguanas help maintain the last patches of intact habitat, which also support many other native species. Without conservation action, future island visitors may find themselves experiencing an unrecognizable and artificial landscape—paradise no longer.
I have grown to love these prehistoric animals through almost 20 years of research and work in the Bahamas. My passion for them remains unabated, and my initial curiosity has grown into admiration for their physical toughness and steadfast resilience. Rock iguanas can be four feet long and weigh over 20 pounds. They thrive in unforgiving landscapes of jagged limestone, arid climates, seasonal food scarcity, and severe storms that can flood entire islands. Conditions that leave me panting and sweat-drenched don’t faze iguanas. Yet they are no match for today’s human impacts.
Conservation Makes a Difference
Although the overall outlook for rock iguanas remains tenuous, conservation efforts have provided stories of recovery and hope, bringing together communities from around the world to save these important species. Many nonprofit organizations, including the International Iguana Foundation, have boots—or durable sandals—on the ground to aid iguana conservation. They send and support researchers throughout the tropics to assess the locations and health of iguana populations, study behavior and resource needs, and determine reproduction rates and what is needed for success and sustainability. Partnerships have been forged between conservation biologists, concerned scientists, government officials, and iguana experts, including the IUCN Iguana Specialist Group (ISG), which helps to design and implement conservation plans that can protect this magnificent group of lizards.
These organizations also facilitate education outreach with local communities in areas where iguanas live, and they and provide a connection to these charismatic, intelligent, and fascinating animals for people around the world. Many people do not know that there are 45 different species of iguanas (and more being uncovered by research), and that, currently, 86% of them are threatened or endangered. Despite having lived on Earth for millennia, iguanas now need protection, support, and understanding if they are to continue to survive in their natural habitats.
Most people may not be able to have the experience of seeing rock iguanas in the wild. If you are lucky enough to see an iguana in its natural setting, remember that they are protected by local and international laws, and please enjoy the encounter from a respectful distance. But even if you can’t visit their tropical habitat, you can still learn about, appreciate, and protect them. Support for the International Iguana Foundation is one way to help these extraordinary animals live on into the future.
Rock iguanas are as integral to their tropical islands as white sandy beaches, lush palms, and colorful birds. Above all, these iguanas embody the unique and exotic character of the islands they call home. Together, we can ensure that they remain part of island landscapes for generations to come.
Brilliant, Dr. Knapp! “…iguanas now need protection, support, and UNDERSTANDING…” How to help people understand iguanas –iguana people, keep telling your stories!