Helmeted Iguana

The Helmeted Iguana is found from southern Mexico to Colombia.

It has a remarkable crest or helmet on the back of the head and neck, bordered with large scales, a feature that gives it its name. There is sexual dimorphism, males have a more prominent helmet and are usually slightly smaller than females. Females have more muted colouring. Its skintone can vary depending on where it lives, according to its thermo-regulation with sunlight and it has a great ability to blend in with its surroundings, making it difficult to detect.

It usually spends the day in the lower branches of trees or at the top of bushes. If threatened, it prefers to stand still and rely on its camouflage, but if danger is imminent, it will leap quickly and run, often using only its hind legs. They are oviparous, laying 5-11 eggs in nests that they dig in the ground about 10 cm deep and which will hatch after 5-6 months of incubation.

Conservation Status

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated