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2 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2007

Critically endangered Ricord’s Iguanas (Cyclura ricordii) occur only in the Dominican Republic. A critical portion of the species’ very
restricted range has been removed from the Dominican protected areas system.

RUPP, INCHÁUSTEGUI, AND ARIAS

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IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2007 3

Ricord’s Iguana (Cyclura ricordii) is endemic to Hispaniola,
where it is one of two species of Rock Iguanas on the island.

Ricord’s Iguana is critically endangered according to the current
IUCN Red List. The population is divided into two isolated areas
in the southwest of the Dominican Republic. One area is in the
Neyba Valley: on Isla Cabritos in Lago Enriquillo and some adja-
cent habitats on the southern shore of the Lake. Effective man-
agement is in place for the Isla Cabritos Lago Enriquillo Ramsar
site, which is also a National Park. The southern shore of the lake,
however, is not legally protected at this time. In fact, law 202-04
(2004) eliminated this region from the Dominican protected
areas system. The present study examines the distribution of the
species along the southern shore of Lago Enriquillo and assesses
the conservation status of that population.

Methods
In order to localize Cyclura ricordii habitats and populations
along the southern shore of Lago Enriquillo, key informants
were contacted and interviewed about their knowledge of C.
ricordii. Photographs of C. cornuta and C. ricordii were used to
determine if the persons interviewed were able to discriminate
between the two species. In addition, field trips were undertaken
to the locations mentioned by informants and Landsat satellite
photographs were examined in order to identify further poten-
tial C. ricordii habitat. The presence or absence of C. ricordii was
determined by: (1) Direct sightings (clear identification of ani-
mals as being C. ricordii), (2) dead animals (identification of car-
casses or parts of dead animals as being C. ricordii), (3) tracks
(given conditions of fine soil substrate, tracks of C. ricordii and
C. cornuta can be differentiated by their width and form), and
(4) retreats (C. ricordii tends to occupy sites close to retreats for
basking; knowing locations of retreats facilitates identification of
basking animals and tracks leading to active burrows can pro-
vide an indication of the species occupying the specific retreat).
Coordinates of locations where the presence of C. ricordii was
verified were registered with GPS (UTM, map datum: NAD 27
of the Caribbean) and integrated into GIS.

The extent of major threats to the species was defined and
quantified by: (1) Interviewing local people; (2) fieldtrips to
assess human impact on vegetation and iguanas; and (3) habitat
changes evident in satellite images.

Results
Status.—The presence of C. ricordii was verified in the follow-
ing areas: (1) Along the main road from Duvergé to Jimaní

Preliminary Report on the Distribution 
and Status of Cyclura ricordii along the

Southern Shore of Lago Enriquillo
Ernst Rupp, Sixto Incháustegui, and Yvonne Arias

Grupo Jaragua Inc., El Vergel # 33, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Photographs by the authors except where indicated.

CYCLURA RICORDII IN LAGO ENRIQUILLO

�

Distribution of Cyclura ricordii in the Dominican Republic. Numbered
areas represent isolated populations: (1) Isla Cabritos in Lago
Enriquillo, (2) southern shore of Lago Enriquillo, and (3) areas south
of the Sierra de Bahoruco.

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4 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2007 RUPP, INCHÁUSTEGUI, AND ARIAS

between the towns of Baitoa and El Limón; (2) in the area north
and east of Laguna del Limón (called “La Florida”), (3) in the
area north and east of Laguna en Medio (the lagoon actually has
been drained); and (4) along the old road from Duvergé to
Jimaní starting west of Baitoa and extending to Arroyo
Aculadero about 5 km east of Jimaní. The occupied areas cover
roughly 50 km2, conforming largely to the historically known
range identified by José A. Ottenwalder in 1999, but with the
notable addition of extending substantially farther to the west
along the old road to Jimaní.

Not all areas within this zone harbor the species. Dens are
absent in areas covered by rock or gravel. The species is mainly
present in sandy soil. A high concentration of dens was found
in the banks of dry creek beds and ravines, which cut through
the marine sediments, often of corals and shells. These sediments
make up the major part of the geological layers of the zone.
Most creeks have a south-north direction and drain into the
southern shore of Lago Enriquillo. One area of apparently suit-
able habitat (dry creeks, open vegetation) remains to be investi-

gated. It is an area of about 40 km2, situated north of El Limón
and east of Jimaní.

Cyclura ricordii is sympatric with C. cornuta in the region.
A more detailed study is needed to define where C. ricordii
appears to have a competitive advantage over C. cornuta. For

Bank of a ravine with an adult male Cyclura ricordii in front of his den.

Confirmed presence of Cyclura ricordii along the southern shore of
Lago Enriquillo.

Present boundaries of Parque Nacional Lago Enriquillo and the nearby
area not yet investigated for the presence of Cyclura ricordii.

Bank of a dry streambed with two active dens.

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example, Thomas Wiewandt (unpublished field notes) visited
one of the ravines (“Cañada de Guayabo”) in 1975. He saw only
C. cornuta (3 adults on 28 July and one adult and 3 juveniles the
following day). We visited the same ravine on 25 May of this
year and detected four adult and one juvenile C. ricordii and two
adult C. cornuta.

The population structure of C. ricordii in this region seems
to be healthy. Juveniles are seen regularly, indicating that success-
ful recruitment is taking place and suggesting that nesting activ-
ities should also be plentiful. So far, we have only been able to
detect one nest (12 eggs, all hatched). We assume that females
do not move far from their dens to nest wherever suitable sub-
strate is present. In the sandy soils of the area, they should have
little trouble finding suitable sites.

Successful reproduction and a reasonable survival rate of
juveniles may have been the key to the survival of the species in
the zone to date. However, all of the adult animals can be

quickly exterminated in a given area. Subsequent recruitment
into such areas is therefore of vital importance.

Threats.—The major part of the zone where C. ricordii is pres-
ent is not legally protected. It is not included in the Dominican
national system of protected areas. Before law 202-04 was put
into effect, all of the known distribution of these populations of
C. ricordii was within the boundaries of Parque Nacional Lago
Enriquillo. Law 202-04 reduced the protected habitat of C.
ricordii to a small strip along the lakeshore, including the dry
Laguna en Medio.

Intensive charcoal burning in the 1970s and 1980s practi-
cally eliminated all the original vegetation in the area, although
Wiewandt noted relatively undisturbed vegetation in 1975. The
main impact of charcoal production has been a reduction of
plant species diversity combined with the introduction of aggres-
sive species like mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) and a cholla-like 
cactus (Cylindropuntia caribaea). These two species and three
other cacti (Stenocereus histrix, Opuntia moniliformis, Neoabbotii

paniculata) dominate most of the current habitat of C. ricordii
on the south side of Lago Enriquillo.

The effects of charcoal production on soil and ground con-
ditions are not clear. We have found C. cornuta nesting in old
charcoal pits in the area near Tres Charcos, which is close to
Parque Nacional Jaragua, where animals seem to prefer the rel-
atively open pits to the surrounding denser vegetation. We have
not been able to verify the same situation along the southern
shores of Lago Enriquillo.

Iguana hunting is ongoing, involving an estimated 30 per-
sons from the towns of Duvergé, Venganaver, and Baitoa.
Hunters do not discriminate between C. cornuta and C. ricordii
and, in fact, seem to possess little knowledge of iguanas. This is
in sharp contrast to the situation in Pedernales, where persons
with an excellent knowledge about iguanas can be found.

One method of catching iguanas consists of putting snares
at the entrances of dens. Another method consists in closing the

IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2007 5CYCLURA RICORDII IN LAGO ENRIQUILLO

A two-year-old juvenile Cyclura ricordii from the southern shores of
Lago Enriquillo.

Approximate extent of recent charcoal production and of an agricul-
tural irrigation scheme.

A satellite image of a dry streambed and surrounding area near Jimaní.
Note the roads that lead to charcoal production areas. The small round
circles are charcoal pits.

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entrances of active dens with objects such as stones after iguanas
have left their dens. The hunters then wait for the iguanas to
return and hunt them with dogs. The most common practice is
the excavation of dens. Some areas seem to have been “mined”
for iguanas, with excavated dens nearly everywhere.

Recently, charcoal production has begun again in the region
between the dry Laguna en Medio and the town of Duvergé,
with most of the charcoal destined for Haiti. At present, little
effort is being exerted to halt this illegal activity. Charcoal pro-
duction and iguana hunting are closely tied. Whenever a char-
coal pit is found, all dens in the area have been excavated, sug-
gesting that charcoal production not only destroys valuable
habitat, but that individuals engaged in such activities also
engage in hunting iguanas.

Over the past few years, an agricultural irrigation scheme
has been implemented southwest of El Limón, affecting an area
where C. ricordii may have been present, although we lack the
historical data necessary to confirm that assumption.

The concentration of dens in dry creek beds may constitute
an additional threat to the species. Although creek beds may
remain dry during many years, occasional floods can destroy
dens because the marine sediments are only loosely cemented
together and can easily be washed away. Effects of the flood that
wiped out part of the town of Jimaní in 2004 illustrate the risk
to dens in the region.

Conservation Measures.—We had entered into a process with the
local government (town hall) of Duvergé to delimit, declare,
legalize, and administer the zone as a municipal protected area.
A change in the political composition of the town council of
Duvergé in August halted the process, which has yet to be reini-
tiated. Our studies on the distribution of the species have shown
that a substantial part of Ricord’s Iguana habitat lies within the
jurisdiction of the town of Jimaní. This also is the portion of the
range most affected by current charcoal production. A principal
focus of our efforts will be to involve the town of Jimaní in con-
servation activities directed toward the designation of a munic-
ipal protected area. Corresponding regional and national author-
ities are being addressed regarding the illegal charcoal production
in the Jimaní area.

6 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2007 RUPP, INCHÁUSTEGUI, AND ARIAS

A gravid female Cyclura ricordii inside her den.A stand of cacti (Stenocereus histrix) surrounded by mesquite (Prosopis
juliflora).

A recently abandoned charcoal pit.

An excavated iguana den approximately 8 m in length.

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IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2007 7

A local group, “CIELO,” in Duvergé has been actively support-
ing our efforts. With their help, we mounted a teachers’ workshop in
August. This program was developed in cooperation with the
Indianapolis Zoo and ZooDom (the national zoo in Santo
Domingo). Teachers have expressed considerable interest in units
addressing the nation’s natural heritage, of which Ricord’s Iguana com-
prises an important element. Establishing a local support group in
Jimaní and implementing additional workshops for teachers are crit-
ical if the local authorities are to become interested in conservation.

Acknowledgements
We thank the International Iguana Foundation for its support
of this work.

References
Alberts, A.C., R.I. Carter, W.K. Hayes, and E.P. Martins. 2004. Iguanas: Biology

and Conservation. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Arias, Y., S.J. Incháustegui, and E. Rupp. 2004. Cyclura ricordii on the
Barahona Peninsula: A preliminary report. Iguana 11:9–14.

Ottenwalder, J.A. 1999. Ricord’s Iguana, Cyclura ricordi, pp. 51–55. In: A.
Alberts (comp. & ed.), West Indian Iguanas: Status Survey and
Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC West Indian Iguana Specialist
Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.

Ramer, J. 2004. A survey of Ricord’s Iguanas (Cyclura ricordii) and Rhinoceros
Iguanas (Cyclura cornuta) in Isla Cabritos National Park, Dominican
Republic. 2003: A preliminary report. Iguana 11:89–95.

Rupp, E., S.J. Incháustegui, and Y. Arias. 2005. Conservation of Cyclura ricordii
in the southwestern Dominican Republic and a brief history of Grupo
Jaragua. Iguana 12:223–233.

CYCLURA RICORDII IN LAGO ENRIQUILLO

Certainly the most ubiquitous snake species on the
Greater Antillean island of Hispaniola (including many

of its satellite islands) is the colubrid Antillophis parvifrons.
It is a slender snake with a maximum snout-vent length
(SVL) of 530 mm. Dorsal ground color is variable (brown,
black, gray, or bluish), and the dorsum may be patternless
or with middorsal and dorsolateral stripes. The species
occurs in habitats ranging from xeric scrub to rainforest.
These snakes appear to be highly seasonal breeders in dry
habitats, but may exhibit prolonged or even continuous
breeding activity in moister situations at higher elevations.

A fast-moving, ground-dwelling, diurnally active snake,
it can be found in orchard and plantation situations (e.g.,
banana, breadfruit, cacao, coconut, coffee), where it may be
observed cruising through leaf litter or concealed in coconut
or banana trash. It appears to do well in greatly altered habi-
tats and is often encountered near human habitations.

Antillophis parvifrons is an active forager that feeds on a
wide array of frogs (Osteopilus, Eleutherodactylus) and lizards
(Sphaerodactylus, Anolis, Leiocephalus, Celestus, Ameiva), but
Anolis accounted for nearly 71% of all prey items in a sam-
ple of almost 200 snakes. In contrast, frogs of the genus
Eleutherodactylus accounted for only 12% of prey items.
Although small mammals (Mus musculus) are occasionally
taken, they are not typical fare (2.2% of the sample).

Groups of three to five individuals have been found
together on Île-de-la-Gonâve (Haiti), perhaps in a breeding
situation. Clutches of 2–15 eggs have been reported, and
clutch size is positively correlated with female SVL. When
threatened, some individuals will raise the forepart of the
body and the neck will become flattened dorsoventrally,
reminiscent of some species of West Indian racers (Alsophis).

References
Henderson, R.W., B.I. Crother, T.A. Noeske-Hallin, A. Schwartz, and

C.R. Dethloff. 1987. The diet of the Hispaniolan snake Antillophis
parvifrons. Journal of Herpetology 21:328–332.

Powell, R., S.A. Maxey, J.S. Parmerlee, Jr., and D.D. Smith. 1991. Notes
on the reproductive biology of a montane population of Antillophis
parvifrons protenus (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Dominican
Republic. Journal of Herpetology 25:121–122.

Schwartz, A. and R.W. Henderson. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles of the
West Indies: Descriptions, Distributions, and Natural History.
University of Florida Press, Gainesville.

S P E C I E S  P R O F I L E

Hispaniolan Lesser Racer (Antillophis parvifrons)
Robert W. Henderson

Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Hispaniolan Lesser Racer (Antillophis parvifrons) occurs in
habitats ranging from rainforest to xeric scrub, such as that found
in the area around Lago Enriquillo.

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