Rhino Iguana - {Cyclura cornuta}

Care Information

Life Span:
Size: Upto 4 1/2 Feet Long
Food / Diet:
Feeding Procedures:
Habitat:

Photos

Rhino Iguana Overview

Taxonomy
The Rhinoceros Iguana is a species of lizard belonging to the genus Cyclura. The generic name (Cyclura) is derived from the Ancient Greek cyclos meaning "circular" and ourá meaning "tail", after the thick-ringed tail characteristic of all Cyclura. The Rhinoceros Iguana's specific name, cornuta, is from the Latin word cornutus, meaning "horned" and refers to the horned projections on the snouts of males of the species. The species was first identified by Pierre Joseph Bonnaterre in 1789.
There are two subspecies of Cyclura cornuta, the Mona Ground Iguana (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri) and the Navassa Island Iguana (Cyclura cornuta onchiopsis), although the latter species is believed to be extinct in the wild.

Anatomy and morphology
Male Rhinoceros Iguana, Pedernales Province, Dominican Republic, 2007.The Rhinoceros Iguana, like other members of the genus Cyclura, is a large bodied, heavy headed lizard with strong legs and a vertically flattened tail. A crest of pointed horned scales extends from the nape of their neck to the tip of their tail. Their color is a uniform gray to brown drab. Most adults weigh 4.56 kilograms (10.1 lb) to 9 kilograms (20 lb)
These iguanas are characterized by the growth of bony prominent tubercles on their snouts which resemble horns. Dr. Thomas Wiewandt, who spent an extended period on Mona Island studying Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri, suggested that the horns, along with lateral spines and prominent parietal bulges, function as protective armor against sharp rocks or as defensive tools to facilitate the escape of males from the grasp of one another. Males possess an adipose pad in the form of a helmet on the occipital region of the head, and a large dewlap. Males of this species, like other species within the Genus Cyclura, are larger than females, and have more prominent dorsal crests and "horns" in addition to large femoral pores on their thighs, which are used to release pheromones. Females have smaller pores and shorter crests than the males, making the animals sexually dimorphic.

Distribution and habitat
Rhinoceros Iguana at the Frankfurt Zoo.Ranging throughout Hispaniola, Haiti and the Dominican Republic; Rhinoceros Iguana populations are stable only on Isla Beata and the extreme of the Barahona Peninsula inside Parque Nacional Jaragua. There are moderately dense populations in the southeastern region of Haiti and its offshore islands including the saltwater lake of Etang Saumatre. Populations in Haiti are even more endangered due to the deforestation and human clearing practices. In general, the iguanas are found most abundantly in, although not restricted to, scrub woodland, dry forests characterized by xeric, rocky habitats of eroded limestone in coastal terraces and lowlands of the mainland and several offshore islands and small cays in a variety of subtropical life zones and habitat types.
Rhinoceros Iguana on Limbe Island, HaitiAn individual was photographed on May 4, 2008 on the Limbe Island in Northern Haiti. It had been caught by a group of fishermen from Bas-Limbe, Bord de Mer village. The Rhinoceros Iguanas caught on Limbe Island are eaten by the local population. This siting represents a new area previously not thought to be in the Cyclura cornata's range.
The Rhinoceros Iguana is a diurnal species living primarily in rocky outcroppings with little vegetation for cover. Although quick to flee when attacked or threatened, they will aggressively attack by biting and repeatedly striking with their thick tail if cornered.

Diet
Claw of Rhinoceros Iguana at Bristol Zoo.The Rhinoceros Iguana, like most Cyclura species is primarily herbivorous, consuming leaves, flowers, berries, and fruits from different plant species. A study in 2000 by Dr Allison Alberts of the San Diego Zoo revealed that seeds passing through the digestive tracts of Cycluras germinate more rapidly than those that do not. These seeds in the fruits consumed by cycluras have an adaptive advantage by sprouting before the end of very short rainy seasons. The Rhinoceros Iguana is also an important means of distributing these seeds to new areas (particularly when females migrate to nesting sites) and, as the largest native herbivores of their island's ecosystem, they are essential for maintaining the balance between climate and vegetation. Rhinoceros Iguanas do appear to be opportunistic carnivores as individual animals have been observed eating small lizards, snakes, and insects.

Mating
Male Rhinoceros Iguanas, unlike other members of the genus Cyclura, reach sexual maturity at four to five years of age. Females become sexually mature at two to three years of age. Male Rhinoceros Iguanas are territorial and the most aggressive males will have the largest range of territory. Mating takes place at the beginning of, or just prior to, the first rainy season of the year (May to June) and lasts for two to three weeks. Females lay from 2 to 34 eggs, with an average clutch size of 17, within 40 days. Females guard their nests for several days after laying their eggs, and incubation lasts approximately 85 days. It has been noted that their eggs are among the largest lizard eggs produced in the world

Terms of Service

The Legal stuff:
Federal Law requires tortoises sold as pets to be at least 4 inches. Tortoises 4 inches and over are legal Pet Shop Size these can be sold as pets (Please check your local & state laws). All tortoises less than 4" straight length are sold as per Federal guidelines 21CFR 1240.62, not sold as "pets" only sold for Scientific, Educational, Exhibition or Export purposes.

PLEASE READ:
All Sulcatas are captive raised on my farm, my farm has been raising tortoise for 25 years. All group lots of tortoise (over 10) are sold with a Vet Health Certificate (required for interstate travel). Note failure to read my terms & Conditions for any reason will not be a reason to consider them void or altered.

Live arrival & Health terms:
The high and low temperature range for the day must be above 40 and below 88 degrees (Shipping & Receiving locations). You or your agent must be present to sign for door to door shipments (First delivery attempt). Orders sent to the airport must be picked up within 4 hours of their arrival time. I am not responsible for missed deliveries or carrier delays. (Missed delivers void the live arrival & health guarantees)

30 Day Health Guarantee:
For animals bought in single lot quantities (No Health Certificate) Animals are guaranteed healthily, eating and acting normally. If you’re animal is sick or is not eating, you can return them prepaid shipping back to us and we will exchange the animal with free shipping back to you. Does not cover sudden death, the animal you send back must be live (Please see Live arrival & Health terms) your health guarantee may be void if the shipping terms were not meet. (Animals bought in Lots come with a health certificate and have been double insured healthy the 30 day health exchange does not apply). Guaranteed live arrival: Animals are guaranteed to arrive live providing our terms are met (please see Live arrival & Health terms). Animals that do not arrive a live will be replaced. No other guarantees or warrantees are implied or offered.

PAYMENT:
We except Bank wire transfer and prefer PayPal . We can send you an invoice thru PayPal or you can send PayPal money directly to sam@FloridaIguana.com. You can also pay by certified check or personal check (allow time to clear). We are happy to hold animals with a 20% non-refundable deposit.

SHIPPING:
We offer Next day UPS service from here if the weather is safe. UPS offers no insurance on livestock (your risk). Most small UPS orders are $45. Other shipping methods available: For large orders we can ship by airlines (Delta is best out of Ft Lauderdale FL) with insurance. Most small air shipments are $85. If you’re paying by PayPal, we only ship to confirmed PayPal address

Note that all door-to-door orders must have someone available to receive and sign for the package (at the first attempt of delivery) or the Health Guarantee is void. All shipping rates noted above are estimates and vary depending on location and order size. Please provide address for a shipping quote.

PHOTOS:
The photos in this ad may or may not be the actual animal (unless other wise noted). Additional photos available by request.

CONTACT:
Email is the best way to contact me: Sam@FloridaIguana.com
Florida Iguana & Tortoises Breeders
Cooper City FL
www.floridaiguana.com
sam@floridaiguana.com