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Other names: Cayman Island ground iguanas

Other names: Cayman Island ground iguanas

[[Image:Cyclura cornuta.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Rhinocerous iguana (''Cyclura cornuta'')''' (© Raimond Spekking / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 & GFDL; [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nashornleguan_(Cyclura_cornuta).jpg])]]

[[Image:DSC01713.JPG|350px|thumb|right|Rhinocerous iguana at ZSL London Zoo. Clamy, RVC 2010]]

 

==Description==

==Description==

==Range==

==Range==

Rhinoceros iguanas are restricted to the Caribbean islands, where each taxon occupies a restricted and usually exclusive distribution within the area.

Rhinoceros iguanas are restricted to the Caribbean islands, where each taxon occupies a restricted and usually exclusive distribution within the area.

In all cases, habitat destruction by man and the introduction of animals such as pigs and goats has pushed these iguanas to the point of near extinction. They are listed as endangered by CITES and individual Caribbean governments.

In all cases, habitat destruction by man and the introduction of animals such as pigs and goats has pushed these iguanas to the point of near extinction. They are listed as endangered by CITES and individual Caribbean governments.

==Diet==

==Diet==

==Enclosure==

==Enclosure==

These iguanas are ground dwelling lizards. In their native habitat these animals are seen on beaches, in grassy fields, and in barren open terrain that has some rocks/logs or similar cover. Juveniles may be largely arboreal. Adults will climb stout branches in search of food but climbing activity is usually restricted to finding a basking site on a large rock.

These iguanas are ground dwelling lizards. In their native habitat these animals are seen on beaches, in grassy fields, and in barren open terrain that has some rocks/logs or similar cover. Juveniles may be largely arboreal. Adults will climb stout branches in search of food but climbing activity is usually restricted to finding a basking site on a large rock.

Cyclura do not usually live very long in captivity (usually less then 8 years, far shorter then probable natural life spans). Successful captive management will depend largely on enclosure design. Sufficient space is essential; a single pair of adult rhino iguanas should have a minimum of approximately 9m2 of well-designed enclosure floor space. A large outdoor summer enclosure should be considered as can be seen at London Zoo. Basking sites need to be available to all inhabitants.

''Cyclura'' species do not usually live very long in captivity (usually less then 8 years, far shorter then probable natural life spans). Successful captive management will depend largely on enclosure design. Sufficient space is essential; a single pair of adult rhino iguanas should have a minimum of approximately 9m2 of well-designed enclosure floor space. A large outdoor summer enclosure should be considered as can be seen at London Zoo. Basking sites need to be available to all inhabitants.

Retreats or some form of cavity or burrow to allow complete concealment of the iguanas will reduce nervousness and the likelihood of fighting. Ideally, visual barriers (rocks piled into walls) should be arranged to ensure that feeding, basking and shade areas are individually available to potentially incompatible iguanas.

Retreats or some form of cavity or burrow to allow complete concealment of the iguanas will reduce nervousness and the likelihood of fighting. Ideally, visual barriers (rocks piled into walls) should be arranged to ensure that feeding, basking and shade areas are individually available to potentially incompatible iguanas.

The temperature gradient during the day should range from 27ºC on the cool side to 34ºC on the warm side. The basking areas should range from 36-40ºC. The night-time temperature should not drop below 23ºC.

The temperature gradient during the day should range from 27ºC on the cool side to 34ºC on the warm side. The basking areas should range from 36-40ºC. The night-time temperature should not drop below 23ºC.

[[Category:Lizard_Species]]

[[Category:Lizard_Species]]