Rhino Iguana
John Dengate visited Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and chatted with reptile keeper Michael Muscat about the conservation of two rare and endangered iguanas.
Rhinoceros Iguana (Cyclura cornuta cornuta)
These large, heavy-bodied iguanas are native to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. They are grey to olive green and have three horny bumps on the nose which are more prominent in males. The rhino iguanas are omnivorous, eating vegetable matter as well as insects, snails and other small animals. They are incredibly strong, and have a very powerful tail which they use as a form of defence.
Hunting, poaching, destruction of habitat and illegal trafficking adversely affected this species in the past. However zoo breeding programs have increased its chance of survival. Since 1978 Taronga Zoo has successfully bred 142 Rhinoceros Iguanas, many of which have been returned to their homeland in the Dominican Republic.
Fijian Crested Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis)
This very rare iguana was discovered in 1979 by naturalist John Gibbons, and is only found on a few small islands in the northwest of the Fiji group. The species is arboreal, rarely descending to the forest floor except to lay eggs. Crested Iguanas are large lizards growing up to 1m (3′) long, with a brilliant green body marked with white bands and a spiny crest along their backs. Males, on encountering other intruding males in their home territory, engage in aggressive displays which include head bobbing and darkening of body colour. With flaring yellow nostrils and white stripes standing out against the dark background, the iguana’s threat display is very impressive. Taronga Zoo is helping to conserve the Fijian Crested Iguana by establishing a sustainable breeding population in Australia, just in case anything should happen to the population in Fiji.
Further information
Fijian Crested Iguanas and Rhinoceros Iguanas are not Australian natives, and they cannot be kept as pets.
Our segment was filmed at:
Taronga Zoo
Bradleys Head Road
Mosman, NSW, 2088
Phone: (02) 9969 2777