iguana
Squamata
Reptilia
Incubation for 4 to 5 months.
10 to 20 eggs
They feed on leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds; although occasionally they may consume insects, land crabs and carrion (especially dead birds and fish).
Between 15-20 years
The skin of the rhinoceros iguana has rough epidermal scales, grayish-brown or olive green. The horns on its head give rise to its name, although they are actually larger scales.
Males are larger than females, as are their horns. Males are very territorial, especially during the mating season. In the presence of a rival they shake their heads with sudden movements and turn around. They can use their long and robust tail as a whip. They are polygamous animals. The mating season begins in May and the eggs are laid in nests up to one and a half meters deep about 40 days after copulation. After laying eggs, the females remain near the nest to avoid egg predation. Its main predators are domestic dogs, mongooses, pigs and humans.
They are independent from the moment they hatch from the egg, lacking parental care. They are important seed dispersers, since they cannot digest some. When expelled with feces, they spread them already fertilized.
