Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura similis

"Ctenosaura similis", commonly known as the black spiny-tailed iguana, black iguana, or black ctenosaur, is a lizard native to Mexico, Central America, and some Colombian islands in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. It has been introduced to the United States in the state of Florida. It is the largest species in the genus "Ctenosaura".
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) C. similis is the largest and most widely spread species of the genus Ctenosaura commonly known as Spinytail iguanas'. Adult males can reach up to 18 inches in length with an 18 inch tail. Predominantly black, juveniles show patches of Olive green and tan. Colours may also lighten after basking in the sunlight with yellowish and orange markings becoming evident along the sides, as seen in this photo. Its native range stretches from southern Mexico to Panama where it's exploited for food and traditional medicine. It generally is found in seasonally dry, lowland habitats but can occur in sites up to 900 m elevation, often in ose proximity to human activity. They generally live in colonies within which there's a strict hierarchical order under a single dominant male. Its adaptability means it's considered a menace in parts of the southern states of the USA, particularly Florida where it was introduced in the 1970's. It consumes valuable horticultural plants, invades dwellings, and threatens imperilled native species through predation and usurpation of burrows. Black Spiny-tailed Iguana,Costa Rica,Ctenosaura similis,Geotagged,Spring

Appearance

Black spiny-tailed iguana have distinctive black, keeled scales on their long tails, which gives them their common name. They, along with "C. pectinata", are the largest members of the genus "Ctenosaura." The males are capable of growing up to 1.3 meters in length and the females are slightly shorter, at 0.8–1 meter. They have a crest of long spines which extends down the center of the back.

Although coloration varies extremely among individuals of the same population, adults usually have a whitish gray or tan ground color with a series of 4–12 well-defined dark dorsal bands that extend nearly to the ventral scales. Males also develop an orange color around the head and throat
during breeding season with highlights of blue and peach on their jowls.
Black spiny-tailed iguana - Ctenosauria similis Manuel Antonio NP, Costa Rica. Costa Rica,Ctenosaura similis,Ctenosauria similis,Geotagged,Spring

Distribution

The black spiny-tailed iguana is native to Central America, and has the widest range of all "Ctenosaura" species from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to northeastern Nicaragua and western Panama on the respective Atlantic and Pacific coasts. It is commonly found throughout Costa Rica, Honduras and has been reported from some islands of Colombia in both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.

The black spiny-tailed iguana has been introduced to South Florida and reproduces in the wild in several feral populations. On the southwestern Florida coast, it has been discovered from Collier County north to Tampa Bay. On the southeastern Florida coast, black spiny-tailed iguanas have been found on Key Biscayne, Hialeah, and in Broward County. This iguana has also been introduced to several islands in the Caribbean. As this species will opportunistically feed on small vertebrates, such as fish, rodents, eggs, birds, and even hatchling sea turtles it may pose a threat to endangered native species.
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) I know what you're thinking - this Iguana doesn't look particularly black? And of course you're right, because colours can be significantly variable even among individuals of the same population. However they all have distinctively black, keeled scales on their long spiny tails which gives them their common name and black polka-dot patterns on their legs. Ctenosaura similis can be found throughout central America from the southernmost part of Mexico to the northernmost extremes of Columbia, but most commonly in Coasta Rica and Panama. They can be found in a range of habitats from dry and wet forests to open terrains such as savanna, grassland, and shrubland. They can also be found on sandy beaches, in coastal lagoons, marshes, and near urban areas. This is a social, colony-living and territorial Iguana, most happy where there are rocks on which to bask, crevices in which to hide and trees into which they can climb with surprising agility. This agility also extends to their speed on the the ground. This is the fastest lizard in the world, capable of speeds of over 20mph. Despite their fearsome appearance adults are mostly herbivores, occasionally taking small animals and eggs, while juveniles tend to spend their time licking insects from the ground. Reproduction occurs in the spring. Within 8 to 10 weeks of mating, the female digs a nest and lays a clutch of up to 30 eggs. When the eggs hatch 90 days later the hatchlings dig their own way out of the sand. Other common names assigned to this Iguana include Gray’s Spiny-tailed Iguana, Black Iguana, Spiny-tailed Iguana, Scaly-tailed Iguana & Wish Willy. I bet you're just dying to know where that last name came from? Never fear - PK's here. Wish-willy is the name given to this Iguana by the Creole people of Belize, known as Kriols. Black Spiny-tailed Iguana,Costa Rica,Ctenosaura similis,Geotagged,Winter

Behavior

Black spiny-tailed iguanas are excellent climbers, and prefer a rocky habitat with plenty of crevices to hide in, rocks to bask on, and nearby trees to climb. They are diurnal and fast moving, employing their speed to escape predators but will lash with their tails and bite if cornered. The Guinness Book of World Records lists this as the world's fastest lizard, with a maximal sprint speed of 34.6 km/h.
Ctenosaura similis taken at granada nicaragua possibly a juvenile black iguana Ctenosaura similis,Geotagged,Nicaragua,Summer,black iguana

Reproduction

Mating generally occurs in the spring. Males show dominance and interest by head bobbing; eventually the male will chase the female until he can catch her and subdue her. Within eight to ten weeks, the female will dig a nest and lay clutches of up to 30 eggs. The eggs hatch in 90 days with the hatchlings digging their way out of the sand. These juveniles are typically green with brown markings, although all brown hatchlings have been recorded as well.
Giant Iguana One of many black spiny-tailed iguanas found roaming about some ancient ruins. Ctenosaura similis,Geotagged,Mexico,Winter,reptile

Food

Black spiny-tailed iguanas are excellent climbers, and prefer a rocky habitat with plenty of crevices to hide in, rocks to bask on, and nearby trees to climb. They are diurnal and fast moving, employing their speed to escape predators but will lash with their tails and bite if cornered. The Guinness Book of World Records lists this as the world's fastest lizard, with a maximal sprint speed of 34.6 km/h.

They are primarily herbivorous, eating flowers, leaves, stems, and fruit, but they will opportunistically eat smaller animals, eggs and arthropods. Juveniles tend to be insectivores, becoming more herbivorous as they get older. They are known to eat the fruit and live in the limbs of the manchineel, a tree highly poisonous to most other animals.

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyIguanidae
GenusCtenosaura
SpeciesC. similis
Photographed in
Costa Rica
Mexico
Nicaragua