Cyclura Species of Iguanas
Sign the Petition to Save these Wonderful Animals!
The Cyclura species of Iguana are native to the Caribbean Islands.The most endangered would most likely be the Grand Cayman Island Blue Iguana (Cyclura nubila lewisi). These are awesome animals by far. They are a nice color of a slight baby bluish, which is fades to a grayish tint of blue when shedding, and they have beautiful redish colored eyes. At last count, the number of these guys left in the wild has gone down, unfornutelly, to possibly in the teens. It is estimated that in about five years they maybe extinct. Bloodlines are also a concern due to some animals not being pure lewisi but having a mixture of Lesser Cayman (caymenesis), and Grand Cayman Blue (lewisi). At present, The Indianapolis Zoo has been the first institution to breed these Iguanas since about two years ago. Though they are hybrids, they are still important to the Species Survival Plan (SSP). Ever heard of the saying "Every little thing counts?". The second most endangered being, with less than 100 animals left in the wild, is the Jamaican Ground Iguana (Cyclura collei). This species was believed to be extinct up until 20 years ago when a man discovered his dog harassing a strange looking lizard that turned out to be a Jamaican Iguana. These are beautiful animals and deserve the protection that they are not recieving. However, There is about 23 of these animals scattered throughout the United States in different institutions. So far, they have had very little success with breeding them. The third most endangered and not widely kept in captivity here in America is the White Cay Iguana (Cyclura rileyi cristata). There are a little more then 150 of these left in the wild. Development by humans and introduction of animals to the islands such as raccoons has diminished the populations of these wonderful animals to amounts that have brought them to the brink of extinction. There are a lot of Cyclura's that are in trouble of being endangered or protected, not to mention other animals and plants throughout the world. People also selling these animals on the internet or elsewhere is not helping the cause any either. Help before it is too late. Head/Face Pics belong to Cyclura.com
Grand Cayman Island Blue Iguana (Cyclura n. lewisi)
Jamaican Ground Iguana (Cyclura collei)
White Cay Iguana (Cyclura rileyi cristata)
