[3] 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.

O. cuvieri has a mostly carnivorous and insectivorous diet, consuming an array of invertebrates such as arachnids, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers and other insects, as well as isopods and various larvae, earthworms, etc.

[4] This diurnal iguana species is primarily arboreal and spends much of its time gripping trunks and branches where it remains motionless while it scans the surrounding area for insects.

The females dig shallow burrows, about 10 cm (4") deep, in exposed areas where there is no major vegetation, so as to provide maximum sunlight and warmth to the nest (often on or adjacent to a man-made or animal-worn forest trail).

After incubating for 60-70 days, the young lizards hatch from their eggs, leave the nest and immediately seek cover, as they are at their most vulnerable when small.

Nevertheless, the hatchlings are self-sufficient, finding sustenance in small, appropriately-sized invertebrates, such as ants and termites, before gradually advancing to larger prey species.

In addition, because of their shallow, unprotected nesting sites, the eggs are heavily preyed upon by other reptiles, most notably the Malagasy giant hognose snake.