Darwin's iguana explained

Diplolaemus darwinii, also commonly known as Darwin's iguana and the southern Patagonian lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Leiosauridae. The species is native to the southern tip of South America.

Etymology

Both the specific name, darwinii, and the common name, Darwin's iguana, are in honor of Charles Darwin, who was an English naturalist and the author of On the Origin of Species.^[1]

Geographic range

D. darwinii is found in the Patagonian Desert in southern Argentina and Chile.

Description

Darwin's iguana has a broad, triangular head and strong jaws.

Diet

The diet of D. darwinii mostly consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of D. darwinii is the Patagonian steppes from sea level up to elevations of 700m (2,300feet).^[2]

Reproduction

D. darwinii is oviparous.^[3]

Conservation status

The IUCN has listed Darwin's iguana as being of "Least Concern" because of its wide range and the lack of any identified threats to the species.

Further reading

• Bell T (1843). In: Darwin C (1843). The Zoology of the Voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle, Under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., During the Years 1832 to 1836. Part V. Reptiles. London: Smith, Elder and Company. vi + 50 pp. + Plates 1-20. ("Diplolæmus darwinii ", new species, p. 20 + Plate 10).

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
2. Book: Chester, Sharon . A Wildlife Guide to Chile: Continental Chile, Chilean Antarctica, Easter Island, Juan Fernandez Archipelago . 2010 . Princeton University Press . 9781400831500 . 113–114 .
3. www.reptile-database.org.