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The Cuban Iguana (Cyclura macleayi [= C. nubila]) is a very
agile and extremely wary animal, more dependent upon its

vision than upon sound for protection. It generally catches sight
of possible enemies before being seen. When off guard, as in eat-
ing or while sunning itself, it may be surprised, if one approaches
carefully; but once alarmed and on guard, it cannot be
approached successfully.

In its departure from threatened danger this reptile almost
never covers the entire distance to its hiding place in one dash,
unless absolutely forced to do so. Usually it advances or with-
draws in short spurts of fifteen or twenty yards, poising then like
a dog on the alert, listening for any sound. It stretches the neck
upward and bobs its head in a rhythmical and comical move-
ment. When it again scents or sights danger, it makes another
dash of similar length, and so on until it reaches its hiding place,
which in general is a hole or pocket in the rocks. Here it hastens
to take refuge and settles down in fancied security. If the hunter
finds it in a rather shallow hiding place not affording complete
concealment, the Iguana opens its mouth in threatening fashion
and gives voice to a disconcerting hoarse noise.

The mobility and agility of this lizard is astonishing to one
who has only seen it traveling at ease, with no cause for fright or

alarm. It then seems heavy and slothful dragging its belly along
the ground and leaving a track or furrow formed by the long,
heavy tail. It is so agile, however, that with a few strides it can
climb up a twenty-five foot stone wall or a tall tree, which it
often does to satisfy its appetite. When surprised aloft it makes
a single leap to the ground, and then sets out at high speed.

Unlike most Cuban reptiles, which are active during the
hours of darkness, the Iguana, like a few other lizards as the
‘Chameleon’ [= Anoles, genus Anolis] and ‘Bayoya’ [Curly-tailed
Lizards, genus Leiocephalus], is active during the middle of the
day, when the sun is highest. Rarely is it seen before nine o’clock
in the morning or after five in the afternoon. If found at such
times, it is slow and lethargic. On cloudy or rainy days, it is not
seen.

The Iguana may live in areas which completely lack water
for drinking even in pits or hollows that might collect rainwa-
ter. It is found also on very small areas of land, such as keys and
tiny islands. Fishermen from regions of numerous small islands
tell me that they have seen the Iguana moving from key to key,
crossing narrows of more than two hundred yards in width by
swimming on the surface with the tail employed in the manner
of a sculling oar.

The Iguana is an animal that prefers a solitary life, never
being found naturally in groups; however, it tolerates collective
life when constrained to live so. I keep large numbers together
and have never witnessed a single fight amongst them. On cool
nights they even huddle together presumably for the purpose of
warmth conservation.

Cyclura macleayi reaches a very considerable size; I have had
specimens up to 60 inches in length. In these lizards the tail is a
most important organ, from the standpoint both of health and
resistance. A fat tail on either a young or old specimen is a sign
of good health, and that the individual can endure long enclo-
sure and long voyages. However, the tip of the tail is so fragile
that is will readily break off in the grip of the incautious handler.
The teeth are small and sharp, the bite powerful enough to crush
small bones.

The Iguana is omnivorous, eating fruits, vegetables, and
ripe bananas, varied in captivity with left-overs from the table
such as cereals, meat, and fish.

250 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2004

H I S T O R I C A L  P E R S P E C T I V E S

Adult Cuban Iguana (Cyclura nubila). Photograph by Thomas Wiewandt.

Observation on Habits of the 
Cuban Iguana1

Mario S. Buide

250 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2004 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

1 Translated by Dr. D. F. Munro. Reprinted with permission from
Herpetologica 7:124 (1951). Bracketed names were added and one
typographical error corrected.




