Balsas armed lizard
A species of Spinytail iguanas, Also known as Michoacán dwarf spiny-tailed iguana Scientific name : Ctenosaura clarki Genus : Spinytail iguanas
Balsas armed lizard, A species of Spinytail iguanas
Also known as:
Michoacán dwarf spiny-tailed iguana
Scientific name: Ctenosaura clarki
Genus: Spinytail iguanas
Content
Description General Info
Description
Ctenosaura clarki, commonly known as the Balsas armed lizard, Michoacán dwarf spiny-tailed iguana, or nopiche, is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae.
General Info
Lifespan
8-12 years
Diet
Balsas armed lizard is primarily an omnivorous species, favouring a diet predominantly comprising flowers and fruits of certain shrubs. Remarkably, it also consumes small invertebrates, particularly when young.
Appearance
Balsas armed lizard is a medium-sized lizard with a long, tapered body covered in rough, keeled scales. It has a pointed snout and a robust tail, which accounts for over half of its total length. Characterized by its dark brown to black coloration, the lizard also displays distinctive white or yellowish stripes along its body and tail. Both males and females of balsas armed lizard possess a foldable, fan-like crest along their neck and back, which is more pronounced in males.
Behavior
Balsas armed lizard is a semi-arboreal species, noted for its agile climbing and burrowing. These iguanas are primarily solitary, engaging in occasional social interactions during mating season. Being territorial, males exhibit aggressive head-bobbing displays to ward off intruders. As diurnal desert-dwellers, they thermoregulate by basking and burrowing.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Iguanids Genus
Spinytail iguanas Species
Balsas armed lizard