The Black Spiny-tailed Iguana or Black Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) is a lizard native to Mexico and Central America that has bee
The Black Spiny-tailed Iguana or Black Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) is a lizard native to Mexico and Central America that has been introduced to the United States in the state of Florida. It is the largest species in the genus Ctenosaura and has been recorded as the fastest running lizard on earth. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Squamata Family: Iguanidae Genus: Ctenosaura Species: C. similis Binomial name Ctenosaura similis The Black Spiny-tailed Iguana was first described by British zoologist John Edward Gray in 1831The generic name, Ctenosaura, is derived from two Greek words: cteno meaning "comb" (referring to the comblike spines on the lizard's back and tail), and saura (σαύρα), meaning "lizard". Its specific name is the Latin word similis meaning "similar to", a common description found in Linnean taxonomy when referring to a new taxa. Black Spiny-tailed Iguana have distinctive keeled scales on their long tails, which gives them their common name. They are the largest members of the genus Ctenosaura, males capable of growing up to meters (4 ft 11 in) in length and females slightly shorter at 1 meter (3 ft 3 in).They have a crest of long spines which extend down the center of their 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 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.
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