Saving the Swamper: Field Research in Utila

Iguanas of Utila Island

Our Project

We studied the behavior of two iguana species on Utila Island, Honduras: the endemic Swamper (Ctenosaura bakeri) and the more widespread Highlander (Ctenosaura similis). We observed iguanas across different habitats on the island, including mangrove forests, coastal areas, savannas, and human-influenced environments. We recorded their behavior on video and organized what we saw into clear behavioral categories to compare how each species spends its time. Overall, both species spent most of their time staying still, but we found differences in how often they moved their bodies versus moving their heads. These differences likely reflect how each species uses its environment and avoids predators. Our project helps build a clearer picture of how these two closely related iguanas live and behave alongside each other on a small island ecosystem.

Utila Island, Honduras

The Iguana Species

The Swamper

Ctenosaura bakeri

Mangrove specialist

Exclusively Utilan

Critically Endangered

The Highlander

Ctenosaura similis

Widespread generalist

Found throughout Central America

Meet The Team

Alexander Jeffords

Matthew Kelly

Jessica Zhang

Grace Waldeck

Kisi Bohn

Nikita Finger

Tom Brown

Daisy Maryon

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