Grand Cayman Blue Iguana

What is Grand Cayman Blue Iguana

The blue iguana is endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. The generic name of the species is derived from the Ancient Greek words cyclos meaning circular and ourá meaning tail after the thick-ringed tail characteristic of all cyclura. It is the closest relatives to the Cuban iguana and northern Bahamian rock iguana.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Characteristics

The blue iguana is the largest native land animal on grand cayman with the total length of 5 ft and weighing about 14 kg. It may be the heaviest species of iguana in the Western Hemisphere. These species toes are articulated to be efficient in digging and climbing trees. These species are observed to climb trees about 15 feet or higher. The males have the larger body than the females.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Care

This is large, heavy-bodied lizard which is not for everyone. This lizard species grows large and requires more room to give it a proper domain in the captivity. It is much better in setting up an outdoor as compared to set up in-house cage. The terrarium should have the essential services that required by iguana species.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Facts

• The iguana species is also known as the cyclura lewisi.
• The average size of species is noted about 5 ft.
• The iguana species have the lifespan up to 20-40 years.
• The most lived iguana is noted of age 67 years old.
• The male iguana has the large size as compared to female.
• These iguanas are able to climb trees up to 15 ft or higher.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Habitat

These iguanas are found only on Grand Cayman island. So, it is known as the native habitat name as well. They prefer dry, rocky forests in coastal areas, which may contain cactus and other thorny plants. These lizards may also be found in scrub woodlands, semi-deciduous forests, and dry to subtropical, moist forests. These are easily adaptable to the new habitat and that’s may be the reason these found in man-modified habitats as well.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Diet

The species is primarily herbivorous lizards mostly eat leaves and stems, as well as fruits and flowers. They have occasionally been observed feeding on fungi, insects, soil, and excrement. The species also observed while eating leafy green vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, and herbivorous lizard pellets.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Venom

Generally, the iguanas are non-venomous. These are easy to handle and need care while handling. These species don’t have the venom glands and cannot produce venom. But these can bite the humans while feeling threatened.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Reproduction

The mating in these iguanas occurs from May through June. The mating process is preceded by numerous head-bobs on the part of male then it circles around behind the female and grabs the nape of her neck. The copulation generally lasts from 30 to 90 seconds, and a pair is rarely observed mating more than once or twice a day. The clutch of eggs included 1-21 eggs which laid between June or July depending upon the size and age of the female.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Bite

The iguanas are not often biting the humans. These have the small, sharp teeth by which these able to tear the humans’ skin. The bite from these iguanas can deliver the extreme pain to the victim. These iguanas bite only if they feel uncomfortable or threatened.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana As Pet

The iguana can be kept in the captivity, both in private and public collections. As there are very few pure-bred animals in private collections, private individuals have established these animals in captive breeding programs as hybrids with the lesser Caymans Igunana and occasional hybrids with the Cuban iguanas.