Black ctenosaur

Description:

he Black Spiny-tailed Iguana, Black Iguana, or Black Ctenosaur (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. Black Spiny-tailed Iguana have distinctive keeled scales on their long tails, which gives them their common name.[4] They are the largest members of the genus Ctenosaura, males capable of growing up to 1.5 meters (4 ft 11 in) in length and females slightly shorter at 1 meter (3 ft 3 in).[2] They have a crest of long spines which extend down the center of their back.[4] 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.[4] Males also develop an orange color around the head and throat during breeding season with highlights of blue and peach on their jowls.[2][4] [edit]

Habitat:

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.[3][2] It is commonly found throughout Costa Rica, Honduras and has been reported in Colombia. In addition to its varied appearance it may interbreed with other Ctenosaur species throughout this range. The Black Spiny-tailed Iguana has been introduced to South Florida and reproduces in the wild in several feral populations. On the south-eastern Florida coast, Black Spiny-tailed Iguanas have been found on Key Biscayne, Hialeah, and in Broward County. On the south-western Florida coast, it has been discovered on Gasparilla Island and in adjacent areas, throughout Lee and Charlotte counties.[6] This iguana has also been introduced to several islands in the Caribbean.[7] 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.[6] [edit]