Encyclopaedia
ReptileTerrestrialExpert
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Blue Iguana
Cyclura lewisi
The critically endangered Grand Cayman Blue Iguana requires massive greenhouse or outdoor enclosures (3x2x2 meters). It mandates intense UVB, extreme heat, and a very strictly managed herbivorous diet to prevent metabolic diseases.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Iguanidae
Genus:Cyclura
Species:Cyclura lewisi
Share
Check out Blue Iguana on Atlarium
Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 70 %
Day temperature
28 - 32 °C
Ambient temperature
30 °C
Night temperature
22 - 24 °C
Basking spot
45 °C
Adult size
55 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 4,000 L
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. It prefers dry, rocky, open areas in dry forests and coastal shrublands. They use rock crevices and tree cavities as retreats.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Iguanidae, genus Cyclura. A critically endangered herbivorous lizard. Genetically distinct lineage adapted to island gigantism, with conservation programs working to maintain genetic diversity.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly diurnal, spends mornings basking to thermoregulate. Territorially aggressive and solitary. They are highly intelligent, long-lived (up to 50+ years), and communicate via head-bobbing and dewlap displays.
Morphology: The largest native land animal on Grand Cayman, reaching up to 1.5 meters in length and weighing up to 14 kg. Skin color ranges from gray to a striking turquoise-blue when active or defending territory. Males have larger dorsal crests.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Extremely large enclosures are mandatory. Adults require a large greenhouse, a dedicated room, or a secure outdoor enclosure of at least 3x2x2 meters. Provide heavy climbing branches, sturdy rock structures, and a deep soil-sand substrate.
Lighting and Heating: Require high heat and intense UV radiation. Basking spot temperature must reach 45°C (113°F), with ambient temperatures of 28-32°C (82-90°F) and night drop to 22-24°C (72-75°F). Intense UVB lighting (12-14% output or metal halide lamps) is critical.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain moderate humidity around 50-60%. Provide a large shallow water basin for soaking and drinking. Occasional misting helps simulate rainfall and assists with shedding.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly herbivorous. Diet must consist of leafy greens (collard greens, dandelion, mustard greens), flowers (hibiscus), and limited berries or squash. Supplement with calcium carbonate twice a week and multivitamins weekly.
Compatibility: Solitary animals. Adults are highly aggressive towards conspecifics, especially males. They must be housed alone except during supervised breeding introductions in very large enclosures.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly susceptible to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) if UVB levels or calcium intake are deficient. Feeding animal protein is toxic and leads to gout and kidney failure. Intestinal impaction can occur from swallowing substrate.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. It prefers dry, rocky, open areas in dry forests and coastal shrublands. They use rock crevices and tree cavities as retreats.
Origin
Central America and Caribbean
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 55 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 55 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 55 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
