Care Articles : 

 

1- Chilean Iguana  (Callopistes maculatus)

 

The photographic moment:

Cannibalism is a behavior described for the species, but has rarely been seen and documented. During the photographic output that allowed me to see this event live, the conditions were given to make a few recordings, which I will share with you promptly.

 

Taxonomic Classification :

Order: Squamata , suborder: Lacertilia Family: Teiidae , Genero Callopistes , Species: Callopistes maculatus(Gravenhorst, 1838) 
Sub Species: - Callopistes maculatus maculatus (Gravenhorst, 1838) 
- Callopistes maculatus atacamensis (Donoso-Barros, 1960) 
- Callopistes maculatus manni (Donoso-Barros, 1960)

Size  : It borders the 45 cms.

Appearance : It is the largest reptile of the Chilean territory, of strong aspect, of olive-colored color, has 4 dorsal rows of black spots surrounded by white circles that go from the cervical zone until the birth of the tail. Males have a reddish color in the ventral area, while the females are pale yellowish in color.

Distribution  : II-VII Regions, RM. Chile.

State Conservation  : Vulnerable (SAG), Insufficient Data (IUCN)

Reproduction  : Ovary

Ecology  :  Reptile of diurnal habits,

Diet  : It is considered as an "Active Predator", that is, it chases its prey to hunt it. It feeds on arachnids, annelids, crustaceans, small mammals (Rodents of the genus: Akodon, Oryzomys, Phyllotis Octodon), reptiles belonging to the genus Liolaemus, short-tailed snake (Phylodria chamissonis). Even specimens of the same species may become part of your diet.