Scientific Name
Cyclura cornuta
Other Common Name(s)
Hispaniolan Rhinoceros Iguana, Hispaniolan Rock Iguana, Rhinoceros Rock Iguana
Body Weight
Up to 9 kg
Body Length
Up to 1.2 m
Habitat
Forests and shrublands
Diet
Fruits, flowers and leaves, as well as insects occasionally
Fun Facts
Rhinoceros iguanas are diurnal animals that bask on rocks or trees to regulate their body temperature during the day. At night, they rest in rock crevices, caves, or tree hollows to rest.
After eating fruit, rhinoceros iguanas help disperse seeds through their droppings. While birds, bats, and other reptiles in the same habitat play similar ecological roles, scientists found that these animals tend to eat smaller fruits. Therefore, plant species with larger fruit still depend on the rhinoceros iguanas to spread their seeds.
Distribution
Dominican Republic and Haiti in the Caribbean
Threats & Conservation
Threats & Conservation
Urbanisation & Infrastructure
Overexploitation of Biological Resources
Invasive Species & Diseases
Climate Change
Rhinoceros iguanas' habitat is being destroyed by industrial, tourism, and agricultural development, while invasive species prey on them and compete for resources. Additionally, their habitats are prone to hurricanes. If climate change leads to more frequent extreme weather, their survival will become increasingly difficult.
IUCN
Endangered
CITES
Appendix I
Conservation Regulations
Protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong
The Park provides care for the rhinoceros iguanas confiscated by the Hong Kong government from illegal trade.
