Stats
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Range:Â Lesser Antilles
Population:Â Estimated ~20,000, with 10-15,000 of those on Dominica
Size:Â Males up to 17″ snout to vent length, 7.7 pounds; Females up to 15″, 5.5 pounds
Threats:Â Habitat destruction; Introduced predators; Hybridization with Common Green Iguana.
species information
- The Lesser Antillean Iguana is a large arboreal iguana that once occupied most islands from Anguilla to Martinique in the eastern West Indies.Â
- The total population has declined ~75%, due to habitat destruction, hunting, introduction of exotic predators and competitors, and hybridization with Green Iguanas.Â
- Only two populations are considered stable while others have been extirpated in the last decade.
- With an estimated population of 13-20,000 individuals, Dominica supported, until recently, the largest single population of these iguanas. However, this population was compromised in 2017 when Green Iguanas were found after Hurricane Maria hit.
- On St. Eustatius invasive Green Iguanas and hybrids also can be found, but it is believed that this island can still remain a stronghold for the species with proper biosecurity.
IIF Grants Received
2019b Grant $1000
Natural history data of hatchling Iguana delicatissima to guide local and regional recruitment and conservation management
Matthijs P. Van den Burg
$1000
2019a Grant $7,700
Assessing and mitigating threats to Iguana delicatissima on Dominica post-hurricane Maria
Jeanelle Brisbane
$7,700
2018 Grant $11,750
Preventing the Loss of One of the Last Populations of Iguana delicatissima, the St. Eustatius Population
Â
Matthijs P. van den Burg and Adam Mitchell
$11,750
2014 Grant $9,830
Establishing Baseline Population and Distribution Data to Inform Population Recovery of Iguana delicatissima on Anguilla, British West Indies
Farah Mukhida
$9,830
2011 Grant $2,500
Action plan publication and implementation review, Cyclura spp. and I. delicatissima)
Lee Pagni
$2,500
The goal of this multi-species IIF grant is to enhance iguana conservation at the international, national, and local levels by publishing action plans as well as reporting on the accomplishment of these plans. Publication of the plans on the IUCN’s website will improve the ability of both international and local conservation organizations to obtain funding to carry out iguana conservation priorities.