Spore creature - Fiji crested iguana PNG

The Fiji crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) is a species of lizard native to the northwestern Fiji islands. It lives in dry forest.

At up to 75 cm long and 300 grams in weight, it is significantly larger than the closely related Fiji banded iguana. They tend to live under the shade of trees, occasionally venturing out to bask in the sun on cooler days. When agitated, its colour rapidly changes from green to black, intimidating would-be predators.

Due to its threat display, the animal (and in fact any native iguana) is somewhat feared in Fijian folklore. It is referred to by the locals as "vokai" or "saumuri", and although it is considered the totem animal of two tribes, it is forbidden to speak its name in the presence of women.*

 They are mostly herbivorous, with a diet consisting mostly of leaves, fruit, shoots and flowers, especially young leaves and large flowers growing on shrubs in dry forest areas. They have a particular fondness for the flowers of the Vau Hibiscus tree.

With a population of just 4000 individuals, the IUCN lists the species as "Critically Endangered". The main threat to its survival comes in the form of invasive species such as rats, cats and mongooses that prey on the young, and invasive plants that compete with its natural food sources.
However, it's not all bad news. Since tighter regulations on forest burning and grazing by goats were introduced, forests have begun to rebound, meaning an expanding natural habitat.

The species first came to the attention of modern scientists via a cameo it made in the film Blue Lagoon. The film-makers included some shots of native animals, and among them was this lizard. Dr. John Gibbons of the University of the South Pacific noticed the iguana in the film, and on a subsequent expedition to Fiji, he identified it as a brand new species.


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*PS: If I have offended any Fijian women by posting these creatures, then I sincerely apologize, and you may personally take a flight to Iceland and whack me with a stick if you are offended.