Black spiny-tailed iguana
A species of Spinytail iguanas, Also known as Black ctenosaur, Common spiny-tailed iguana Scientific name : Ctenosaura similis Genus : Spinytail iguanas
Black spiny-tailed iguana, A species of Spinytail iguanas
Also known as:
Black ctenosaur, Common spiny-tailed iguana
Scientific name: Ctenosaura similis
Genus: Spinytail iguanas
Content
Description General Info
Photo By rodriguezviky , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Ctenosaura similis, commonly known as the black spiny-tailed iguana, black iguana, or black ctenosaur, 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 species of lizard.
General Info
Lifespan
15-25 years
Diet
Black spiny-tailed iguana is primarily an omnivore, mainly consuming plants, insects, and small animals. Its diet features a substantial intake of flowers, leaves, fruits, and beetles. Seasonally available food sources such as bird eggs significantly enhance its diet variety.
Appearance
Black spiny-tailed iguana is a large lizard with a strongly built body and a lined tail. Its scaly skin is mainly dark brown to black, but males may have a turquoise-blue collar and body streaks. The species has a mohawk-like row of spines edging from its head down to its tail. Juveniles have a bright green coloration providing camouflage in vegetation, shifting to darker tones as they age.
Behavior
Black spiny-tailed iguana is a diurnal species, typically solitary but occasionally congregating. It spends most of its time in trees and is adept at climbing. This species exhibits territorial behavior, males often competing for dominance in display combats. For foraging, it uses sit-and-wait tactics before capturing primarily herbivorous meals. Notably, black spiny-tailed iguana exhibits this unique behavior of climbing to heights and spreading its body out in the sun to absorb heat.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Iguanids Genus
Spinytail iguanas Species
Black spiny-tailed iguana 
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