Interesting Facts About Rhino Iguana

By: NDTVNewsDesk Image: Instagram/darwin_the_rhino_iguana [{ "selector": ".ngtnj-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".eijwg-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".emtwi-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".qwzxo-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".ojlwi-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Rhino iguanas are large Caribbean lizards named for the horn-like bumps on their snouts.

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They are known for being docile pets, crucial seed dispersers, and important inhabitants of Hispaniola's dry, rocky areas.

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These diurnal reptiles are heavy-bodied, can grow quite large (up to 4.5 feet).

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They play a vital ecological role by helping new plant life grow after passing seeds through their digestive system.

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Being ectothermic, they actively follow the sun throughout the day to absorb heat, moving to warm rocks and crevices.

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Males are larger, more aggressive, and highly territorial, using head-bobbing and displays to ward off competitors.

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While generally peaceful, they will bite and repeatedly strike with their powerful, flattened tails when threatened.

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They possess a parietal eye, or "third eye," on the top of their head. It cannot form images but helps detect light and shadows.

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