Anegada Iguana (Cyclura pinguis) Fact Sheet: Distribution & Habitat

• Modern iguanids are New World lizards found on: (Wiens & Hollingsworth 2000).
  • Three groups of Pacific Islands
  • In western North America to Brazil
  • In the West Indies
• Iguanas in the Cyclura genus inhabit only islands in West Indies in Caribbean Sea. (Malone & Davis 2004)
• Cyclura pinguis:
  • Anegada Island in British Virgin Islands in West Indies.
• Introduced to Guana, Necker, Norman Islands (British Virgin Islands) (Bradley & Gerber 2005) to secure a second population and aid the species' recovery
• In prehistoric times, found across land mass that included today's Puerto Rico and many associated islands (Puerto Rico Bank). (Pregill 1981)
• Associated with Native American middens on St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) (Bradley & Gerber 2005)

• Anegada Island is a coral limestone island, 38 km sq. (14.7mi sq.)
  • Flat, low lying landscape, up to 8.5 m (28 ft) in elevation (Perry & Gerber 2006)
  • About 100 full-time human residents on the island
  • Xerophylic vegetation, adapted to low water conditions
• Two habitats for C. pinguis iguanas: (Bradley & Gerber 2005)
  • Sandy scrub with woody shrubs, grasses, and a few trees
    • Vegetation can be dense
    • Iguanas dig burrows here rather than use holes already present
  • Rocky woodland
    • Limestone bedrock with eroded solution holes used for retreats; favored by iguanas
    • Small shrubs, tall mature trees, cacti
• Iguana population mostly in core area of 3 km sq (1.2 mi sq) on north coast of Anegada Island

Anegada Iguanas live on one small island in the Virgin Islands (Caribbean Sea).

Above map adapted from www.d-maps.com. Click here or on map for enlarged map view.

Bradley & Gerber (2005)
Malone & Davis (2004)
Pregill (1981)
Wiens & Hollingsworth (2000)