The Rock Iguana

Rock On, Rock Lizard

With all the fascinating details regarding Turks and Caicos’ (TCI) geography, cultural heritage and history, often overlooked of missed are the intriguing facts related to the natural order, or nature, within TCI. Among the more intriguing members of TCI’s natural order is the rock iguana. The rock iguana of TCI can be found in up to 60 of the 200 islands and Cays known as Turks and Caicos Islands. Although it can be found in so many islands of TCI and is numbered around 50,000 in TCI—the most thriving population of rock iguana within the Caribbean– the rock iguana is still considered endangered. Turks and Caicos has 50,000 rock iguanas, the healthiest population of rock iguanas in the Caribbean.

The rock iguana measures less than 26 inches in length when full grown. It is considered the smallest species within its genus. The rock iguana’s colors can range from green to brownish grey. It has diminutive scaling around the head than other species of iguanas, but makes up for it with larger dorsal spines than the average iguana.

Per usual with other members of the rock iguana’s genus, the male is larger than the female. In fact, its bodies are twice as large.

Even though TCI remains relatively underdeveloped with some islands uninhabited, altogether, the rock iguanas are seeing its population reduced 5 percent of its original numbers. This, however, cannot be blamed on humans but mostly due to invasive species that prey on the native lizard.

Turks and Caicos has spent large amounts of money in efforts to conserve this indigenous species. Tourists are encouraged to visit the natural habitat of the rock iguana, and see the beauty and intrigue of this wonderful natural specimen of the splendor of the Turks and Caicos Islands.