Murrudon (SciiFii)

The murrudon (Murrudon ajax), sometimes known as the coconut-eating lizard or the coconut lizard in pet trade, is a species of lizard and a member of the iguana family that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii due to demand for more types of exotic pets. The murrudon is found worldwide as common household pets, however, there are established feral populations of murrudons in Florida, southern California, and the Caribbean Islands, most likely as a result of deliberate or accidental pet releases. Despite this, murrudons are not invasive as their populations are regulated by native predators. The murrudon is a rather large iguanid lizard, growing on average of around 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail and weighing up to 20 lb (9.1 kg), although some individuals are known to grow slightly larger. The murrudon is a herbivore that primarily feeds on coconuts and fruits, being able to climb vertically with their strong, clawed limbs to reach for their primary food sources. The murrudon is also known to feed on leaves and flowers to supplement its diet. When frightened by a predator, murrudons attempt to flee, and if near a body of water, dive into it and swim away. If cornered by a threat, the murrudon extends and displays the dewlap under its neck, stiffens and puffs up its body, hisses, and bobs its head at the aggressor. If the threat persists, the murrudon can lash with its tail, bite, and use its claws in defense. The wounded are more inclined to fight than uninjured prey. Murrudons use "head bobs" and dewlaps in a variety of ways in social interactions, such as greeting another iguana or to court a possible mate. The frequency and number of head bobs have particular meanings to other murrudons. Male murrudons have highly developed femoral pores on the underside of their thighs, which secrete a scent (females have femoral pores, but they are smaller in comparison to those of the males). In addition, the dorsal spines that run along a murrudon's back are noticeably longer and thicker in males than they are in females, making the animals somewhat sexually dimorphic. Male murrudons tend to display more dominant behaviors, such as head bobbing and tail whipping. They also tend to develop a taller dorsal crest than females, as well as taller dorsal spines (or spikes). Large, round, very pronounced jowls are generally a male characteristic. Jowls are located under the jaw and are protected by the subtympanic plate, which is a large, green, circular-shaped scale. Murrudons are oviparous, with females laying clutches of 20 to 71 eggs once per year during a synchronized nesting period. The female green iguana gives no parental protection after egg laying, apart from defending the nesting burrow during excavation. The murrudon has been observed sharing nest sites with crocodilians. The hatchlings emerge from the nest after 10–15 weeks of incubation. Once hatched, the young murrudons look similar to the adults in color and shape, resembling adult females more so than males and lacking dorsal spines. Juveniles stay in familial groups for the first year of their lives. Male murrudons in these groups often use their own bodies to shield and protect females from predators. The conservation status of the murrudons living in the wild is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the murrudon's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii