This Rare Iguana Has an Incredibly Weird Mating Ritual

There are some strange mating rituals in the wild. Birds court through dance and song, and some males fight for females’ attention, but what about the head bobbing of crested iguanas? Although the crested iguana’s mating rituals may not be the most dramatic, their behaviors represent a rare evolutionary development among cold-blooded animals. This video by BBC Earth shows some of the strange behaviors. Read below to learn more about the crested iguanas’ weird mating rituals.

All About the Crested Iguana

The crested iguana is an endangered species of iguana found in the Fiji Islands. While they historically inhabited multiple islands, their shrinking population has confined them to Yadua Taba, north of the main island. The forest habitat of this island is ideal for the lizard, as they live within trees and canopies. Living exclusively in trees is known as being arboreal. The lizards take advantage of the thick tree branches to walk throughout the forest. Using their long toes and tail as well, they have amazing balance when traversing even the thinnest branches. While there are predators, such as large cats, on the island, the iguanas themselves are herbivores. They eat leaves, fruits, and flowers from the trees, as seen in the video.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the crested iguana is a critically endangered species. Currently, about 13,000 crested iguanas densely inhabit Yadua Taba Island, where conservation efforts are underway. The biggest threat to the population is habitat loss, as the population relies heavily on its native forest for shelter and food. On the bright side, the lizards have become somewhat of a celebrity! According to the International Iguana Foundation, the crested lizards have become a symbol for Fiji’s biodiversity conservation. By limiting predation and supporting their habitat, conservationists hope the lizard population will rebound.

Weird Mating Rituals

The crested lizard’s mating ritual is full of head bobbing and hissing. Breeding generally takes place during the rainy season, between February and April, with mating and egg-laying typically occurring in March and April. They use a lek system, which means that males will gather together to perform against each other. Unlike other lizards, which fight for territory, these lizards compete for female attention. This unusual behavior is rare among cold-blooded animals, making the crested iguana’s mating ritual particularly unique. During the performance, they bob their heads, inflate their throats, and hiss at each other, similar to the mating rituals of birds. While observing, the female lizard will choose the male she wants to mate with.

When the females are ready to lay their eggs, they descend from the trees to the sand. They will lay a clutch of around two to six eggs in a small hole in the sand. They choose the sand rather than the forest because it is warm and perfect for incubation. The eggs are laid a few weeks after the mating season and will incubate for eight to nine months. Hatching around October, the lizards are born into a cooler, wet season. This is ideal because the lizards are independent right after hatching and, with an abundance of greenery, can find food immediately to support their growth. While it is uncommon for iguana eggs to incubate for this long, it is one of the traits that sets the crested iguana apart. Like other iguanas, crested iguanas do not provide parental care for their offspring.