Animal Guide

Hispaniolan Rhinoceros Iguana

38 destinations · 22 states

Native Range: Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic

The Hispaniolan rhinoceros iguana looks like it belongs in a prehistoric landscape, especially when you notice the small horn-like bumps on its snout. These sturdy lizards spend much of the day on the ground, moving deliberately across rocky terrain or stopping to bask on warm rocks. Their mostly plant-based diet includes leaves, flowers, fruit, and other vegetation, but they can occasionally take animal food when the opportunity arises. Watch the head and neck closely if one becomes alert. A territorial iguana may bob its head, move its body, or turn sideways to make itself look larger. Those gestures are part warning and part display. In the wild, this species is associated with the dry forests, scrublands, and rocky limestone landscapes of Hispaniola. It is also endangered, with habitat loss, introduced predators, and other pressures affecting its populations. At an exhibit, its slow movements make it easy to overlook at first, but the unusual face and powerful build reward a closer look.

Hispaniolan Rhinoceros Iguana

Where to see Hispaniolan Rhinoceros Iguana

38 destinations across 22 states

38 destinations

Aikman Wildlife Adventure

Arcola, IL

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Gulf Shores, AL

Brights Zoo

Limestone, TN

Cape May County Park & Zoo

Cape May Court House, NJ

Chattanooga Zoo

Chattanooga, TN

Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo

Dahlonega, GA

Children's Aquarium Dallas

Dallas, TX

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

Allenwood, PA

Croc Encounters

Tampa, FL

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Lake Buena Vista, FL

El Paso Zoo

El Paso, TX

Emerald Coast Zoo

Crestview, FL

Greensboro Science Center

Greensboro, NC

Greenville Zoo

Greenville, SC

Henry Vilas Zoo

Madison, WI

Iguanaland

Punta Gorda, FL

Lion Country Safari

Loxahatchee, FL

McCarthys Wildlife Sanctuary

West Palm Beach, FL

Mesker Park Zoo

Evansville, IN

Metro Richmond Zoo

Moseley, VA

Monkey Jungle

Miami, FL

Montgomery Zoo

Montgomery, AL

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Nashville, TN

Newport Aquarium

Newport, KY

Niabi Zoo

Coal Valley, IL

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Camp Verde, AZ

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

West Palm Beach, FL

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix, AZ

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Tacoma, WA

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Gatlinburg, TN

Riverside Reptiles Education Center

Enfield, CT

Sacramento Zoo

Sacramento, CA

Scovill Zoo

Decatur, IL

Snake Discovery: A Reptile Experience

Maplewood, MN

Staten Island Zoo

Staten Island, NY

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Palm Desert, CA

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Salt Lake City, UT

Wilderness Trails Zoo

Birch Run, MI

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