Ricord's ground iguana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ricord's ground iguana |
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| C. ricordii at Lake Enriquillo, Dominican Republic | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyclura
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| Species: |
ricordii
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The Ricord's rock iguana (Cyclura ricordii) is a special kind of lizard. It is a large plant-eating reptile. This iguana is only found on the island of Hispaniola. This island is shared by the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The Ricord's rock iguana is an endangered species. This means there are not many left in the wild. It lives in hot, dry forests and sandy areas. These areas are usually on limestone rock. This iguana shares its home with another type of rock iguana, the rhinoceros iguana. They are the only two kinds of rock iguanas that live together in the same place. The biggest dangers to these iguanas are animals that hunt them and losing their homes. This happens because of too much animal grazing and making charcoal.
About the Ricord's Iguana
How It Got Its Name
The Ricord's rock iguana is named after a French doctor. His name was Alexandre Ricord. He sent the first iguana specimen to Paris a long time ago. Scientists officially described this species in 1837.
Scientists have studied the iguana's genes and body. They found that its closest living relative is the Turks and Caicos rock iguana.
Other Names for the Iguana
People call the Ricord's rock iguana by a few different names. In English, it's also known as the "Ricord's ground iguana" or "banded rock iguana."
In the Dominican Republic, people speak Spanish. They call it iguana amarilla (yellow iguana) or iguana de Ricord. In Haiti, where they speak Haitian Creole, it's called leza recò.
What It Looks Like
The Ricord's rock iguana is a medium-sized lizard. Males can grow up to about 18 inches (46 cm) long from their snout to where their tail begins. Females are a bit smaller, growing up to about 17 inches (43 cm). Their tails can be very long, up to 21 inches (54 cm). When they are born, they are about 4 inches (9.6 cm) long.
Their bodies are grayish-green. They have five or six light gray stripes. These stripes switch with dark gray or black stripes. Adult iguanas have less clear dark stripes than young ones. Their eyes have a very dark center and red around the edge.
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A close-up of a Ricord's rock iguana.
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A Ricord's rock iguana on Cabritos Island.
Male and female iguanas look a little different. This is called sexual dimorphism. Males are usually bigger than females. Males also have larger pores on their thighs. These pores release special chemicals called pheromones. These chemicals help iguanas communicate with each other. The eggs laid by Cyclura iguanas are some of the largest eggs laid by any lizard.
Where It Lives
Iguana Homes
The Ricord's rock iguana lives in dry forests and scrublands. These places have scattered trees, cacti, and many vines. They often grow on rocky cliffs and terraces. Some iguanas also live in flat areas with dry forests on white sandy soil. They can be found from below sea level (on Cabritos Island) up to about 1,440 feet (439 meters) high. A new group of these iguanas was found in Haiti in 2008.
Hispaniola used to be two separate islands long ago. Scientists believe the Ricord's iguana developed on the northern island. Then it moved south. The rhinoceros iguana developed on the southern island.
Iguana Life
Daily Behavior
Ricord's rock iguanas are active during the day. This means they are diurnal. At night, they sleep in safe places called "retreats." They often dig burrows in sandy areas for these retreats. They usually dig these under thick plants, stumps, or rocks. Sometimes, they use hollow tree trunks or cracks in rocks.
Young iguanas often climb trees for safety. Adult iguanas mostly stay on the ground. These iguanas have even been seen swimming and floating in Lake Enriquillo.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Ricord's rock iguanas usually mate from May to June. Females build their nests in clay or sand. They choose spots that get a lot of sun. The iguanas in Haiti lay their eggs on a sandy beach.
Females lay between 2 and 23 eggs. The number of eggs depends on the female's size and age. Eggs are usually laid from May to July. The eggs hatch about 95 to 100 days later, from July to September. About 95% of the eggs successfully hatch. Both male and female iguanas become adults when they are two to three years old.
What They Eat
Ricord's rock iguanas eat many different plants and plant parts. What they eat depends on what is available where they live. They eat plants like Consolea, Cordia, Croton, Guaiacum, Melocactus lemairei, Opuntia, and Prosopis. Sometimes, they also eat insects, crabs, or even small animals if they get the chance.
Protecting the Iguana
Population Numbers
In 1970, there were about 5,000 Ricord's rock iguanas in the wild. By 1996, that number dropped to between 2,000 and 4,000. In 2018, scientists estimated there were still 3,000 to 4,000 iguanas. However, the number of iguanas is still going down.
Protected Areas
Some groups of Ricord's rock iguanas live in protected areas. These include:
- Jaragua National Park in the Dominican Republic.
- Parque nacional Isla Cabritos (Lake Enriquillo and Cabritos Island National Park) in the Dominican Republic.
Zoos and other groups are working to help these iguanas. The Indianapolis Zoo has been helping since the 1990s. The National Zoo in Santo Domingo has also helped breed these iguanas. A group called Grupo Jaragua in the Dominican Republic works to protect these reptiles. They watch the iguana population closely.
Dangers to the Iguana
The Ricord's rock iguana faces many threats.
- Habitat Loss: Their homes are being destroyed. This happens when land is used for farming or for grazing cows and goats. People also cut down trees to make charcoal.
- Hunting: Some people hunt and trap iguanas for food.
- False Beliefs: Some goat herders kill iguanas. They wrongly believe that iguanas hurt their livestock with their pointed crests.
- Competition: Farm animals and wild animals like goats compete with iguanas for food.
- Predators: Young iguanas are hunted by cats, dogs, and mongoose.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) keeps track of endangered species. In 1996, they first listed the Ricord's rock iguana as critically endangered. This is the highest level of danger. But after a new group of iguanas was found in Haiti, the species was reclassified. In 2018, it was changed to endangered. This is still very serious, but it means there is a bit more hope.
The iguana is also listed in Appendix I of the CITES treaty. This treaty helps control the trade of endangered animals. This listing has been helpful in protecting the iguana.
Images for kids
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C. ricordii at Lake Enriquillo, Dominican Republic
