At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Increasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Jamaican iguana is a large lizard once believed extinct, rediscovered in 1990. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It survives in a single dry-forest area and is supported by a head-start breeding programme.
Range & habitat
The Hellshire Hills of Jamaica.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Introduced predators (mongooses, cats, dogs, pigs)
- Habitat loss
- A tiny range
Why it matters
A 'Lazarus' reptile brought back from presumed extinction, the Jamaican iguana is a flagship for Caribbean island conservation and predator control.
Once thought extinct; rediscovered in 1990.
Sources
Sources for Jamaican Iguana
- IUCN Red List — look up Jamaican Iguana (authoritative status)
- reptile-database.reptarium.cz
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Jamaican iguana really rediscovered?
Yes. It was thought extinct for much of the 20th century until a small population was found in the Hellshire Hills in 1990, prompting an intensive recovery programme.
Why is the Jamaican iguana Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite introduced predators such as mongooses, habitat loss, and its tiny range, even as careful management helps numbers recover. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: