Mexican Spinytailed iguana

While taking a nature walk on the Yucatan Peninsula near Playa del Carmen on October 31, 2006, I ran across this Mexican Spinytail Iguanas... more

by Rebecca Morgan

Title

Mexican Spinytailed iguana

Artist

Rebecca Morgan

Medium

Photograph

Description

While taking a nature walk on the Yucatan Peninsula near Playa del Carmen on October 31, 2006, I ran across this Mexican Spinytail Iguanas [Ctenosaura Pectinata].

Spinytail Iguanas are one of the largest lizards found in the Americas, capable of growing up to 150 inches in length [half of which is their tails]. They are typically brown or grey-brown in color with a crest of long spines extending down the center of their backs and tails.

They are excellent climbers, and prefer a rocky habitat with plenty of crevices to hide in, rocks to bask on, and nearby trees to climb but have an excellent ability to adapt to other environments.

Spinytail Iguanas are fast moving, preferring to run from predators, but will lash out with their tails and bite if cornered.

They are primarily herbivorous, eating a variety of flowers, leaves, stems and fruit, but will also eat small animals, eggs and arthropods.

NOTE: "fine art america" Watermark will not appear on printed photograph.

Uploaded

November 17th, 2012