Spiny-tailed Iguana
ExploreReptiles
Spiny-tailed Iguana
Ctenosaura pectinata
The Spiny-tailed Iguana is known for its spiky tail and strong body. It loves to bask in the sun.
Habitat: Tropical forests and scrublands.
Appearance
The Spiny-tailed Iguana is a robust lizard, typically gray to brownish-black, often with faint dark bands and yellowish or orange tints, especially on males. It has a distinctive long, keeled tail covered in rings of sharp spines that give it its name.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyIguanidaeGenusCtenosaura
Category
ReptilesRarity
Rare
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Their sharp claws help them climb trees and walls easily.
These lizards can stay underwater for over 30 minutes!
They like to bask on warm rocks to heat up their bodies.
Young iguanas are often bright green to blend with leaves.
Special abilities
Ability
Spiny Shield Tail
Spiny-tailed Iguana has a spiny, keeled tail that helps them defend against predators by lashing it like a whip.
Ability
Burrow Master
Spiny-tailed Iguana can dig complex burrows that helps them hide from danger and escape extreme temperatures.
Ability
Fast Getaway
Spiny-tailed Iguana can run up to 35 km/h because of strong legs, which helps them quickly escape predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-130 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-2 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-20 years
- Top Speed
- 35 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 10-30
- Incubation
- 90-100 days
Diet & Feeding
These iguanas enjoy a mix of plants and insects, changing their menu as they grow up!
Age differences: Young iguanas eat more insects and spiders, while adults become mostly herbivorous.
Primary Foods
- leaves
- flowers
- fruits
- berries
- insects
- small vertebrates
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Adults and juveniles are hunted from above.
eaten by
Boa Constrictor
Boa imperator
Large snakes prey on iguanas of various sizes.
eats
Prickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia ficus-indica
They eat the fruits and pads of this common plant.
eats
Gray Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca nitens
Young iguanas often feed on these abundant insects.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Thermoregulating
Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Rainforest
This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguana
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Spiny-tailed Iguana?
30-130 cm
How much does Spiny-tailed Iguana weigh?
0.5-2 kg
How long does Spiny-tailed Iguana live?
10-20 years
How fast can Spiny-tailed Iguana move?
35 km/h
What does Spiny-tailed Iguana eat?
These iguanas enjoy a mix of plants and insects, changing their menu as they grow up!
Where is Spiny-tailed Iguana usually found?
Tropical forests and scrublands.
How does Spiny-tailed Iguana hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Spiny-tailed Iguana lay?
10-30
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