Darwin's iguana

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.

Darwin's iguana
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Leiosauridae
Genus:	Diplolaemus
Species:	D. darwinii
Binomial name
Diplolaemus darwinii Bell, 1843
Red = D. darwinii Yellow = D. leopardinus Green = D. sextinctus Blue = D. bibronii

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.^[2]

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.^[3]

Diet

The diet of D. darwinii mostly consists of insects and other small invertebrates.^[3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of D. darwinii is the Patagonian steppes from sea level up to elevations of 700 m (2,297 ft).^[3]

Reproduction

D. darwinii is oviparous.^[4]

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.^[1]