Cuvier's Madagascar Swift
Oplurus cuvieri
Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyOpluridae (Madagascan Iguanas)
- GenusOplurus (Madagascan Swifts)
- SpeciesOplurus cuvieri (Cuvier's Madagascar Swift)
About the Cuvier's Madagascar Swift
Oplurus cuvieri, commonly known as the collared iguana, the collared iguanid lizard, Cuvier's Madagascar skink, Cuvier's Madagascar swift, and the Madagascan collared iguana, is a species of arboreal lizard in the family Opluridae. The species is native to Madagascar and the island of Grande Comore, Comoros. There are two recognized subspecies. O. cuvieri is the largest of six species in the genus Oplurus.
The specific name, cuvieri, is in honor of French naturalist Georges Cuvier. As some of the common names suggest, O. cuvieri has a distinctive black collar that stands out against the body which is speckled with lighter spots. It has a large head, and the relatively short tail has spiny scales. The female is a duller brown colour.
The average length of O. cuvieri is 16 in. and the average weight is 160 – 190 g. The images below show considerable variation in markings and coloration. The collared iguana is found in the western tropical forests of Madagascar and on the island of Grand Comore in Comoros. Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. Oplurus cuvieri cuvieri... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Cuvier's Madagascar Swift in Ankarafantsika National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankarafantsika National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Cuvier's Madagascar Swift in Ankarafantsika National Park?
About 90% of wildlife watchers report a Cuvier's Madagascar Swift sighting in Ankarafantsika National Park, based on 91 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cuvier's Madagascar Swift in Ankarafantsika National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Cuvier's Madagascar Swift in Ankarafantsika National Park in our monthly data.