Bartsch's iguana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cyclura carinata bartschi |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Iguanidae |
| Genus: | Cyclura |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
C. c. bartschi
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| Trinomial name | |
| Cyclura carinata bartschi Cochran, 1931
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The Bartsch's iguana (Cyclura carinata bartschi), also known as the Booby Cay iguana, is a special type of lizard. It belongs to the family called Iguanidae, which includes many kinds of iguanas. This iguana lives only in one specific place, a small island called Booby Cay, in The Bahamas. It's a unique animal found nowhere else in the world!
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About Bartsch's Iguana
Bartsch's iguana was first described by an American scientist named Doris Mable Cochran in 1931. It looks very similar to its close relative, the Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata), but has a few small differences.
The name carinata means "keeled," which describes the special scales on its body. The name bartschi was given to honor another scientist, Paul Bartsch.
Scientists have studied the genes of this iguana. They found that even though it lives on its own island, it is very, very similar to the Turks and Caicos rock iguana. Because of this, some scientists think it should be considered the same species, not a separate subspecies. This helps with conservation efforts, as it means these iguanas can be part of a larger breeding program.
What Bartsch's Iguana Looks Like
Bartsch's iguana is one of the smaller types of Cyclura iguanas. When it's fully grown, it can be up to about 770 millimeters (or 30 inches) long, including its tail.
These iguanas are usually greenish to brownish-gray. They have a cool yellow crest along their back. Adults might have faint yellow-brown patterns on their bodies, and their eyes have a golden color.
Like other Cyclura iguanas, males and females look a bit different. Male iguanas have larger pores on their thighs called femoral pores. These pores release special scents called pheromones, which help them communicate with other iguanas. Females have smaller pores.
Where Bartsch's Iguana Lives
You can only find Bartsch's iguana on Booby Cay, a small island in the Bahamas. Scientists believe there are about 1,000 of these iguanas living there. Even though it's a small number, their population seems to be doing well on this tiny island.
There's a story that this iguana used to live on a bigger island called Mayaguana. People sometimes called it the Mayaguana iguana back then.
What Bartsch's Iguana Eats
Bartsch's iguanas are mostly herbivorous, which means they eat plants. Their main diet includes leaves, flowers, and fruits from different plants.
Very rarely, they might eat small things like insects, mollusks (like snails), crustaceans (like crabs), arachnids (like spiders), other small lizards, or even dead animals. But plants are their favorite food!
Protecting Bartsch's Iguana
The Bahamas National Trust is working hard to protect Bartsch's iguana. They have suggested to the government that Booby Cay should become a protected national park. This island is also important for many nesting seabirds.
One big problem on the island is feral goats. These goats eat the same plants that the iguanas need for food. So, a program has started to remove the goats from the cay.
Another issue is a type of tree called "Australian pine" (Casuarina equisetifolia). These trees were brought to the island by people. Their needles are not good for the iguanas to eat, and the tall trees block sunlight. This stops the native plants that Bartsch's iguanas rely on for food from growing well.
In 1998, some Bartsch's iguanas were moved to Mayaguana island to start a new group there. This new population seems to be doing well, even with some feral goats on that island. These efforts help make sure that Bartsch's iguana can survive and thrive for many years to come!
