06/08/2026
๐ฆ๐๏ธ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ: ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ โ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ ๐๏ธ๐ฆ
This weekโs featured subspecies is the Andros Rock Iguana (๐๐บ๐ค๐ญ๐ถ๐ณ๐ข ๐ค๐บ๐ค๐ฉ๐ญ๐ถ๐ณ๐ข ๐ค๐บ๐ค๐ฉ๐ญ๐ถ๐ณ๐ข)!
Found only on South Andros, North Andros, Mangrove Cay, and smaller surrounding cays, it is the largest native terrestrial animal in The Bahamas, reaching lengths of nearly 1.5 meters (5 feet)!
The Andros Rock Iguana is characterized by its dark gray body with yellow, green, or orange-tinged scales on its legs, dorsal crest, and head. As they mature, these colors can become a vivid rust-orange to red, particularly in males. ๐ฅ
One of the most fascinating facts about this iguana is where it nests. Because much of Andros has very little suitable soil for nesting, females excavate nests within termite mounds. After laying their eggs, females remain nearby and fiercely defend the nest until the hatchlings emerge. They are the only known iguana species to use this unique nesting strategy. ๐คฏ
Unfortunately, Andros Rock Iguana populations have declined by more than 50% over the last 60 years, and the subspecies is currently listed as Endangered. In addition to threats faced by many Caribbean iguanasโincluding invasive predators, habitat loss, tourism development, and illegal collection for the pet tradeโthey are also the only Caribbean iguana still regularly hunted for food.
Protecting these remarkable reptiles and their habitat is essential to ensuring their survival for future generations. ๐
Had you heard of this remarkable subspecies before? Follow along to learn even more about these beautiful iguanas!๐ฆ
