A rare and remarkable reptile that lives only on Anegada, a small island in the British Virgin Islands. It’s one of the most endangered iguanas in the world, and also one of the most striking. These iguanas can grow up to five feet long, with strong legs, long claws, and a thick tail. Their skin is a mix of gray and brown with pinkish or bluish tones, especially around the head and neck, giving them a sort of prehistoric, dragon-like appearance. Each one looks a bit different, which makes them even more unique.

What makes the Anegada rock iguana especially interesting is how well it’s adapted to life on a dry, rocky island. It spends much of its time basking in the sun on warm rocks, soaking up heat since it’s cold-blooded. These iguanas are mostly herbivores, munching on leaves, flowers, and fruits. They play an important role in their habitat by spreading seeds through their droppings, helping plants grow across the island. Even though they might look fierce, they’re actually shy and peaceful creatures that prefer to keep to themselves.

One fun fact is that young Anegada iguanas often climb trees to escape predators and find food, while adults usually stick to the ground. That’s right – tree-climbing iguanas! Another cool thing is that they dig burrows to rest and hide from the heat, and these burrows can be surprisingly deep and complex. During mating season, males get more colorful and start performing head bobs and tail flicks to impress females – like a reptile dance-off.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

British Virgin Is.

350–400

Official estimate

CR

2019