EN

Cyclura rileyi

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The San Salvador Rock Iguana faces severe population pressure from introduced feral cats and dogs that prey on juveniles and eggs, significantly reducing recruitment rates. Habitat degradation from human development and tourism infrastructure has fragmented the limited dry forest and scrubland areas essential for nesting and foraging. Hurricane damage periodically devastates the small remaining populations, while invasive plant species alter the native vegetation structure that these iguanas depend upon for food and shelter.

Threat summary

Habitat

Cyclura rileyi inhabits dry coastal forests, scrublands, and rocky limestone areas on San Salvador and Rum Cay islands in the Bahamas. These iguanas prefer areas with dense native vegetation for shelter and open sandy or rocky patches for basking and nesting.

Conservation measures underway

Legislation

Other threatened species in IGUANIDAE

EN

Lau Banded Iguana

Brachylophus fasciatus

Declining
VU

Conolophus subcristatus

Declining
EN

Gau Banded Iguana

Brachylophus gau

Declining
Jamaican Rock IguanaCR

Jamaican Rock Iguana

Cyclura collei

Increasing

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cyclura rileyi classified as Endangered?
Cyclura rileyi is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The San Salvador Rock Iguana faces severe population pressure from introduced feral cats and dogs that prey on juveniles and eggs, significantly reducing recruitment rates. Habitat degradation from human development and tourism infrastructure has fragmented the limited dry forest and scrubland areas essential for nesting and foraging. Hurricane damage periodically devastates the small remaining populations, while invasive plant species alter the native vegetation structure that these iguanas depend upon for food and shelter.
Where does Cyclura rileyi live?
Cyclura rileyi occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cyclura rileyi?
The main threats to Cyclura rileyi are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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