12/10/2026
Rare Twinning Event and Extreme Polyembryony in Cyclura cychlura figginsi
At Reptiles M&A, with over 25 years dedicated to professional herpetoculture and a decade focused on the captive management of rock iguanas (Cyclura spp.), we are reporting a significant developmental phenomenon observed in our facilities.
Following the sexual maturation of our breeding pair of Exuma Island iguanas (Cyclura cychlura figginsi), a clutch of 10 eggs was laid approximately three months ago, of which 5 proved fertile under controlled incubation conditions.
During the final hatching phase, the following embryonic events were documented:
• Multiple Hatching (Twins): One fertile egg initiated pipping, revealing 2 fully formed hatchlings sharing the same egg cavity.
• Extreme Polyembryony (Quadruplets): Due to localized fungal growth on another egg in the days leading up to expected hatching, an assisted opening was performed. Upon inspection, 4 fully formed embryos were found (dead in ovo at late stage development).
• Three perfect, fertile eggs have yet to begin hatching.
Twinning (polyembryony) in West Indian rock iguanas is exceptionally rare in peer-reviewed literature. Published references document occasional instances of viable or non-viable twins in Cyclura lewisi and Cyclura nubila nubila. However, there are no known published records of quadruplets within a single egg in the genus Cyclura (nor, to our knowledge, across Iguanidae).
The remaining fertile eggs are currently under strict observation to monitor their final hatching progress.
