Amazing Facts
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Madagascar Collared Lizard R Oplurus cuvieri ept il e Scientifi c Name Oplurus cuvieri Other Names Madagascar Spiny-tailed Iguana, Collared Iguana Range Northwestern to central Madagascar Habitat Tropical dry forests and rainforests Description A medium sized grayish-brown lizard Behavior speckled with white spots and a distinctive This diurnal (active in daytime) iguana species is primarily arboreal (tree- black collar around the lower neck. The dwelling) and spends much of its time gripping trunks and branches where relatively short tail is covered with spines it remains motionless while it scans the surrounding area for insects. down its length. Once It sees the prey, the lizard will run rapidly to capture it before it can escape. Madagascar Collared Lizards have also been observed positioning Average Size themselves near an ant trail where they can gain an easy meal by picking Length: 16 in. up the ants one by one. Occasionally, they may also eat plant matter such Weight: 160 – 190 g. as fl owers. This lizard is territorial, found alone or in an area with one male and a few Lifespan females. In the wild: 4 – 6 years When threatened, it will retreat into a crack or crevice in a tree trunk, and In captivity: 10 + years use its armored tail to form a barrier between itself and the predator. Diet In the wild: insects Reproduction and Breeding In captivity: insects The breeding season for the Madagascar Collared Lizard is timed to match the rainy season, with egg laying occurring just after the fi rst heavy Incubation rain. Males fi ght with one another for the females’ attention, often leading 61 – 71 days to injury or even death. The female digs a hole about four inches deep in open ground where there is no live vegetation, often on a man-made forest trail. She lays her clutch, fi lls the hole with sandy soil and covers Sexual Maturity it with sand, dead leaves and twigs so that the laying site blends into the Estimated at 2 – 3 years surroundings. The female then immediately leaves the nest site and neither parent provides any degree of care for the hatchings. Females may lay Clutch Size several clutches per year. 2 – 5 eggs Predators Conservation Snakes, birds of prey There is no data on the number of individuals in the wild and no known conservation measures in place for this species. Its habitat in the forests Population Status of Madagascar, however, faces a number of threats which may impact this Not Threatened iguana; this includes the burning of forests for agricultural expansion and the exploitation of trees for timber and charcoal. In addition, because of their shallow, unprotected nesting sites, the eggs are heavily preyed upon by other reptiles, most notably the Malagasy giant hognose snake. The Sacramento Zoo works to promote conservation of entire habitats, rather than single animal species, and partners with the Madagascar Fauna Group to educate visitors on the issues that affect wildlife in Madagascar. For more information, please go to www.savethelemur.org. Sacramento Zoological Society 3930 West Land Park Dr., Sacramento, CA 95822 T: 916-808-5888 F: 916-264-7385 E: [email protected] www.saczoo.org Amazing Facts This is the largest of six species in the genus. This is the most common lizard species in the western forests of Madagascar. There are two subspecies of this lizard, one living on Comoro Island off the coast of Madagascar. Madagascar Collared Lizard Sacramento Zoological Society 3930 West Land Park Dr., Sacramento, CA 95822 T: 916-808-5888 F: 916-264-5887 E: [email protected] www.saczoo.org.