Pixel Wild
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
Ctenosaura similis
Reptilia
COMMON

Stats

Lifespan
15-25 yrs
Size
Large
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Social
Solitary
Biome
Tropical dry forest
Range
Central America
Movement
Running
Breeding
Egg-laying
Defense
Speed
Status
Common

About

The largest of the spiny-tailed iguanas and the world's fastest lizard, capable of running at up to 34 km/h. Males develop striking black coloration with bold banded tails lined with keeled, spiny scales.

Life cycle

  1. 1.
    hatchling
    A miniature lizard cuts itself free from its egg and starts hunting tiny insects within days.
  2. 2.
    juvenile
    A juvenile sheds repeatedly as it grows, often duller-colored than adults and quick to dart for cover.
  3. 3.
    adult
    Fully grown with adult coloration and size.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Iguanidae
Genus
Ctenosaura
Species
Ctenosaura similis