Cyclura lewisi (Grand Cayman Blue Iguana) is one of the species listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. This specie belongs to the Animalia kingdom and is currently listed as an endangered specie; B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) criteria (Burton, 2017). This iguana has a number of unique characteristics. To begin with, they are above 25 pounds, or 11 kilos (Burton, 2017). They are also among the longest-living iguanas, remaining in the wild for 25 to 40 years on average (Burton, 2017). The Grand Cayman blue iguana is exclusively found in the North Side and East End districts of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
One of the biggest risks to the population of this species is wild animals. Adults and adolescents are assumed to be killed by them, and they have been demonstrated to be capable of triggering local extinctions (Burton, 2017). Predation by wild animals is often recognized as one of the iguana’s most serious continuing threats. Several species of rat (most notably the Norwegian rat) are a comparable threat, although natural predators are the primary cause of extinction.
The second most serious threat to the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana is habitat change. Traditional fruit plantations have been converted to cow pastures on a massive scale over the last two decades (Burton, 2017). The decline in the extent of acceptable habitat for iguanas is due to the loss of fruit trees and grasslands. Rapid traffic to the remaining iguana habitats has occurred from road access to farms in inland residential areas (Burton, 2017). As a result, iguana deaths are caused by dispersal outside of protected regions and collisions with fast-moving automobiles, a well-documented phenomenon. The Grand Cayman blue iguana population is gradually expanding and is predicted to continue to rise as a result of continuing conservation initiatives (Burton, 2017). The lack of assimilation opportunities, on the other hand, may ultimately influence the population; hence this is considered a continuing decrease.
References
Burton, F. (2017). Cyclura lewisi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: e.T44275A2994409. Web.