Rare species of lizard is hatched

Mr Cole's first Fiji Banded iguana hatched in January

A rare species of lizard has been hatched in the UK for the first time, according to a breeder.

Jerry Cole, 45, of Dorchester, Dorset, said he had bred seven Fiji Banded iguanas, with two more yet to be born.

One of them has now gone on loan to the Cotswold Wildlife Park, Oxfordshire, where it is the first time the species has been on display to the UK public.

There are currently only seven of the 2ft-long (61cm) lizards in European zoos at present.

Mr Cole, who has two breeding pairs, said the first of the nine eggs hatched in January and he now had four males and three females.

He said: "They are one of the rarest lizards in the world.

One of the rare lizards is on loan to Cotswold Wildlife Park

"This is the first time they have ever been bred in the UK.

"The size is obviously one issue and the colour is phenomenal. Females are bright green and males are green with blue bands.

"They're gorgeous and very inquisitive. They are very calm, they aren't scatty, and generally they are very friendly. They will sit and watch you or feed from your fingers."

Incubation takes about six months and Fiji Banded iguanas feed on fruit, vegetables, flowers and insects.

In 2004 Mr Cole worked with London Zoo to produce the first beaded lizards to be bred in the UK.