Fiji Banded Iguana

From America on driftwood?

Most iguana species live in the Americas. But the Fiji banded iguana lives only in Fiji. Why is that?

Some researchers believe that the Fiji banded iguana travelled across land masses that were previously joined. Other researchers believe the species travelled on driftwood across the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. 

The Fiji banded iguana is endemic. This means that the species only exists in a single place on Earth. The Fiji banded iguana only lives in the rain forest in Fiji and nowhere else in the wild.

It is one of the smallest iguanas. It grows to only 60 cm. long including its tail. That is small compared with the green iguana, which can be two metres long.

Endangered

The Fiji banded iguana is in danger of extinction. If the rainforest in Fiji is destroyed the iguana has nowhere else to live. This is called habitat loss.

When people build houses near the iguanas’ rain forest, new animals such as rats and cats also move in. Both rats and cats threaten the iguanas’ survival because they eat the iguanas’ eggs and young.

Another reason why the iguana is endangered is that it is hunted to be sold, which is illegal. A permit is necessary in order to buy a Fiji banded iguana. Special breeding programs are also trying to the Fiji banded iguana from extinction.