Blue Iguana

Cyclura lewisi

The Blue Iguana is a large, beautiful lizard with bright blue skin! It loves to bask in the sun on rocky shores.

Habitat: Islands and coastal areas

Appearance

The Blue Iguana has a stout body with a distinctive spiny crest running down its back. Males display brilliant turquoise-blue skin, especially during breeding season, while females are typically duller grey-blue. They possess powerful limbs and large, bright eyes, making them visually striking.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyIguanidaeGenusCyclura

Blue Iguana

Interesting facts

Baby blue iguanas are actually brown, not blue!

Blue iguanas can live longer than most cats and dogs.

They are only found wild on the island of Grand Cayman!

They communicate with each other by head-bobbing messages.

Special abilities

Blue Iguana can dig extensive underground tunnels that help them escape predators and find shelter from extreme weather.

Blue Iguana has dark skin pigmentation that helps them absorb heat quickly from the sun and warm up their cold-blooded bodies.

Blue Iguana can use its long, muscular tail as a powerful whip to defend itself against potential threats.

Blue Iguana has excellent eyesight that helps them spot delicious plants and potential dangers from a distance.

Measurements & details

Length: 100-150 cm
Weight: 4-14 kg
Lifespan: 25-35 years
Top Speed: 20 km/h
Clutch Size: 1-21
Incubation: 65-100 days

Diet & Feeding

This plant-eating lizard munches on a variety of leaves, fruits, and flowers from the Cayman Islands.

Age differences: Juveniles may opportunistically eat insects and larvae for extra protein.

Primary Foods

Thatch Palm leaves
Strangler Fig fruits
Hairy Spurge leaves
Erect Prickly Pear cactus pads
Sea Grape leaves

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Feral Cat

Felis catus

Hunts young iguanas and eggs

eaten by

Black Rat

Rattus rattus

Preys on eggs and hatchlings

eats

Thatch Palm

Thrinax radiata

An important food source

eats

Strangler Fig

Ficus aurea

Consumes its leaves and fruits

eats

Hairy Spurge

Chamaesyce canescens

Eats its leaves

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.