The Blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi), is endemic to the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. Formerly they were widespread in the dry and coastal habitats of the entire island., but due to severe habitat loss and predation, now they are only found in the High Rock-Battle Hill area, east and south of the Queen's Highway.

The Blue iguana is one of the largest lizards in the Western Hemisphere, as it weighs more than 11 kg and measures more than 1,5 m from head to tail. Males are usually larger than females. The length of the snout can measure up to 51,5 cm in males and 41,5 cm in females, and the tail is of equal length.

The Blue iguana characterized by uniform, stiff dorsal spines and a spineless dewlap. His body is covered in scales, and some enlarged scales are present on the head region. Young iguanas have a gray base color with alternating dark gray and cream chevrons.. as they mature, the youthful pattern fades, and the base color of the hatchlings is replaced by a blue-gray base complexion. Some dark scutes are preserved in adulthood. This blue-gray color is typical of land iguanas when resting. But, these iguanas are best known for the stunning shades of turquoise blue they take on during mating season. For this reason, the Cyclura lewisi is also known as the Blue iguana.

It is believed that the Blue iguana It is one of the longest living lizard species.. In the wild, they are believed to reach ages of at least 25 to 40 years. But, these iguanas can get much older when kept in captivity. The longest-living member of this species was a captive iguana known as "Godzilla" which survived for a few 69 years. But, it is doubtful that wild iguanas can survive to that age, since Godzilla needed extraordinary maintenance in the years before his death.

The Blue iguana lives on the ground and can occupy various habitats, like forests, grasslands and coastal regions, as well as human-modified habitats. They are found primarily in natural xerophytic thickets and along interfaces between farm clearings and dry canopy forest.. Farms provide a variety of resources such as vegetation, fallen fruit and soil to nest.

The Blue iguana spends its nights in shelters such as caves and crevices found within weathered rocks, usually heavily eroded limestone. Although iguanas preferentially select the natural rocky substrate to take refuge, they also use artificial shelters such as piles of construction material and spaces under buildings. While adults are mainly terrestrial, younger individuals tend to be more arboreal. Occasionally, the Blue iguana It can take refuge in the hollows of trees or exposed in the branches of the same..

The Blue iguana spend most of the day sunbathing. They are primarily inactive with low to moderate alertness between morning rising and evening retreat.. during activity, iguanas mainly forage, they travel and inspect the substrates, including withdrawals and feces. Iguanas are active for longer periods of time during the summer. Because they are ectothermic, increased sunlight and higher temperatures during the summer allow iguanas to maintain optimal body temperature for a longer period each day.

The Blue iguana it's lonely, except during mating season. Mating is generally polygamous, but some individuals can also be promiscuous or monogamous. During the breeding season, the home range of a dominant male frequently overlaps that of one or more females.

During the breeding season, the Blue iguana takes on a deep blue color. In the spring, hormones spike and males begin to assert their dominance. Males lose weight during this time, since they dedicate their energy to reproduction and to dominating other males. Males expand their territorial range, trying to grab as many female territories as possible. Males in overlapping territories challenge each other and, In most cases, smaller iguanas flee from larger individuals. Physical contact and fights are infrequent and usually limited to individuals of similar size. Fights can be fierce and bloody. the toes, the tips of the tail, crest spines and bits of skin can be torn off in combat.

In March, the abdomen of females Blue iguana It is swollen, since their eggs have formed inside. They do not become receptive to breeding until late April. Females generally avoid males until they begin mating in May., retreating to their holes in the rock when the males are near. Gravid females reduce food intake about two weeks before oviposition, as their digestive tract is compressed by the expanding egg mass. Activity levels also increase during this time.

Copulation is preceded by a mating ritual. The male nods his head and circles behind the female.. Grab the female's neck and try to hold her. The male passes his tail under the female's and positions himself for intromission.. Copulation rarely lasts more than 30 to 90 seconds, and a pair rarely mates more than once or twice a day. Pregnant mature females show a distended abdomen, and the outline of individual eggs can be seen.

At the end of the receiving period, the females of the Blue iguana becomes intolerant of males and drives them out of their territories. The females become so aggressive, in fact, that a female can successfully chase away males much larger than herself.

The Blue iguana lays its eggs in a nest chamber that is excavated about 30 cm below ground surface. while they are in the nest, the eggs absorb moisture from the earth. Little by little they are filled until they are tight and with a slight pressure. On average, the eggs of this iguana are among the largest of all lizards. The eggs hatch in 65 to 100 days, depending on the temperature. The hatching process can take more than 12 hours. Hatchlings slice through the leathery shell of the egg with a microscopic "egg tooth" at the tip of the jaw.

It takes the combined effort of many hatchlings to get out of the nest chambers.. Times, the Blue iguana does not emerge from next chamber until two weeks after hatching. During this time, the young survive with the rest of the egg yolk stored in their abdomen. They can live on the remains of the yolk for weeks before needing to feed or drink..

Young iguanas are independent after hatching. They are usually arboreal and spend most of their young lives in trees to avoid terrestrial predators..

The breeding season of the Blue iguana hard of 2 to 3 weeks, between the end of May and mid-June. Oviposition occurs approximately 40 days after fertilization, usually during the months of June and July. The females lay from 1 to 22 eggs every year. The size of the clutch varies with the age and size of the females. Older and larger females are able to produce more eggs. The eggs are incubated in the nest chamber that is dug to some 30 centimeters below the soil surface. The incubation period ranges from 65 and 90 days. The temperature inside the nest remains relatively constant between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius throughout this period. The Blue iguana it usually begins to reproduce around the 4 years of age in captivity. In the wild, reach sexual maturity among the 2 and 9 years of age.

(Blair, 1991; Burton, 2009; Blue Iguana Recovery Program, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British Indies», 2011)

The Blue iguana is mainly herbivorous, consuming mainly vegetable matter of at least 45 plant species of 24 different families. The leaves and stems are the most consumed, while the fruits, nuts and flowers are consumed in less quantity. Carnivory makes up a small percentage of the diet. This includes predation on invertebrates such as insects, slugs and moth larvae. Specimens of iguanas have also been observed ingesting small rocks, tierra, feces, pieces of molt and mushrooms.

State of conservation ⓘ
in danger ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The Blue iguana it is one of the fastest disappearing and endangered species on Earth. The decline of these iguanas on Grand Cayman probably began in pre-Columbian times., when they were hunted for food by the native Indians of the Arawak and Lucayan tribes. The most serious decline began with the European colonization of the Cayman Islands. As the human population increased, habitat was cleared for agriculture and the construction of homes and businesses. In the news, Habitat loss is the main factor threatening the extinction of the Blue iguana. Vehicle road construction has led to further habitat destruction and has brought fast-moving traffic to remnant habitats. This occasionally results in his death from vehicles.

(Blair, 1991; Burton, 2004to; «ARKive Images of Life on Earth», 2011)

Another great threat associated with European colonization was the introduction of invasive species on the island., like cattle, the goats, the pigs, the rats, cats and dogs. The Blue iguana faces predation or competition from these introduced animals. Less often, iguanas can be illegally trapped or shot by farmers who perceive the iguanas as a threat to their crops.

(Blair, 1991; Burton, 2004to; Burton, 2009; «ARKive Images of Life on Earth», 2011)

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands established the Recovery Program Blue iguana in 1990. This conservation program incorporates research, habitat protection, captive breeding, reintroduction and conservation education. Despite the protection of 2000 acres of dry mangrove forests and wetlands within the Cayman Islands, protected lands suitable for Blue iguana they are very scarce.

(«Blue Iguana Recovery Program, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British Indies», 2011; Burton, 2004to)

The Recovery Program Blue iguana has successfully bred this species in captivity since 1990. Members of this species breed to 2 years old and are released at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in Grand Cayman. These young iguanas help complement existing wild populations and also establish new wild populations in protected areas..

(«Blue Iguana Recovery Program, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British Indies», 2011; Burton, 2004to)

The Blue iguana is fully protected by local law and is considered critically endangered by the IUCN. It is illegal to kill, capture or keep members of this species in captivity. It also, international trade in this species is prohibited, as it is included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

(Burton, 2004to; «ARKive Images of Life on Earth», 2011)

This species of intense blue color came to have only between 10 and 25 specimens in the wild.
Currently, after years of intensive work, have already been released near 500 captive-bred specimens.

The Blue iguana served in his day as food to the natives of the island. In the news, this species is a great attraction for ecotourists. Times, the Blue iguana is captured illegally, sold and kept as a pet.

If we make inquiries on the Internet related to where or how to buy a Blue iguana, we will find that the search engine shows us some results.

Devoting a few minutes to reviewing these results we can see that they are mostly other species, put up for sale as blue iguanas.

In some cases it may be due to the seller's own ignorance, who does not know how to differentiate between the different species of iguanas. In others, it can be directly a malicious deception.

Even if they were actual specimens of Blue iguana and regardless of the price they ask for them, we must not forget that it is a species in serious danger of extinction.

1. Blue iguana, Grand Cayman ground iguana, Grand Cayman blue iguana, Cayman Island rock iguana (English).
2. Iguane bleu (French).
3. Blauer Leguan, Grand-Cayman-Leguan (German).
4. Iguana-azul, Iguana-da-grande-caimão (Portuguese).
5. "Iguana azul" (español).

The Rhinoceros iguana (Cyclura cornuta) It is endemic to La Española with the offshore islands Isla Beata, Petite Gonave Island, Tortoise Island, Big Island Cayemite, Island of the Petite Cayemite, Isla Saona, Kid Island (Dominican Republic and Haiti).

The subspecies:

The Rhinoceros iguana it is distinguished from the Green Iguana by its dentition and the absence of the dewlap, but more conspicuously for its heavily armored tail, the upper part of which is distinguished by the fact that between three or four rows of ordinary scales there is a ring of scales which, although they are not particularly long, have turned into sharp vertical spines. The dorsal crest may be interrupted in the region of the shoulder and sacrum.

The teeth are not incisors, sino bialobulados o trilobulados, palatal teeth are small but numerous. Femoral pores are present . The males of the Rhinoceros iguana they are conspicuous by their widened back of the head with large crests. They can reach a head-torso length of about 60-70 cm and a total length of about 130 cm.. Body weights of more than 10 kg. The females are still 10 smaller cm. There is a 3-5 enlarged horn-shaped scales on snout, only indicated in females.

The Rhinoceros iguana prefers rocky areas, dry and semi-arid sparsely populated, from sea level to the 400 m, with an annual rainfall of 470-1.000 mm and an average annual temperature of 25ºC. It is diurnal and spends the night in self-excavated or natural caves., cracks in the rocks, hollow tree trunks, etc., which he also uses during the day to rest or hide.

It has been displaced from much of its original range in La Española by habitat destruction and the introduction of predators.

Easily excitable like all iguanas, goes into a violent rage when threatened, swells, bristle the loin, open the mouth, shows its sharp teeth, frowns at the adversary and prepares to attack. If you are provoked now, turns around quickly, strikes with a very fast lateral movement of the tail, and then you flip to the other side and repeat the same thing the same way.

Food consists of plant material such as leaves, flowers or fruits. Males are territorial and seek out territories with high, sunny spots and suitable retreats for females.. The mating season falls on the first rainy season of the year. Females probably reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years of age. They put an average of 17 (2-34) eggs, that they bury in the ground, and guard the spawn for a few days. The young are born after a few 85 days.

The populations of the Rhinoceros iguana are fragmented and in decline. Thus, in 1996 the species was classified as endangered, and in 2019 a new review placed it in the category of critical danger [Red list: IN DANGER.

International trade is restricted by CITES Appendix I.

This species is also threatened by illegal poaching for food and medicinal use.. non-native species, like wild cats, dogs, mongooses and pigs, pose a risk of predation, while the herbivores, like cows and goats, compete for food sources. Habitat is often destroyed due to charcoal production, as well as development for tourism, land conversion for agriculture and bauxite mining.

In the Dominican Republic, international wildlife trade is controlled by CITES, but it is not the case of Haiti. In the Dominican Republic, iguanas are traded as pets and for tourist exhibits, known as iguana.

A local non-governmental organization, the Jaragua Group, manage conservation efforts Rhinoceros iguana in the Dominican Republic. These include monitoring and habitat restoration, outreach and education, and land acquisition. Recommended conservation measures are better law enforcement and the development of an island-wide conservation management plan..

The Rhinoceros iguana (Cyclura cornuta) It is one of the most requested pets by iguana keepers., but due to its size and temperature requirements it is not easy to care for.

Not all terrarium keepers have the possibility to offer a terrarium large enough to take care of the Rhinoceros iguana adult. An adult animal needs at least 4 m2, but you have to refrain from keeping them individually so that the iguanas can show their natural social behavior. Only in a well structured terrarium with enough places to hide and sunbathe is it possible to keep several rhinoceros iguana (also several males).
Visual barriers should serve to interrupt visual contact between individuals so that lower-ranking animals can eat and sunbathe in peace..

The enclosure must be equipped with heat and UV lamps, as well as underfloor heating. The temperature should be 30-35ºC during the day, locally higher, and drop to about 25-28ºC at night.

According to the opinion of reptile experts, a terrarium for a couple should have at least 5 times the length, 4 times the width and 3 times the head-torso height of animals. For each additional animal, a is added 15% to the basic surface.

There is a legal trade Rhinoceros iguana bred in captivity. Potential buyers should always insist on full documentation to ensure they are not receiving illegally harvested wildlife. Illegal collection endangers the species and is detrimental to the pet trade, as wild animals often carry parasites and diseases that have been eliminated from captive-bred populations.

Its price ranges from 500 – 600 EUR.

1. Rhinoceros iguana (English).
2. Iguane rhinocéros (French).
3. Nashornleguan (German).
4. Iguana rinoceronte, iguana Cyclura cornuta (Portuguese).
5. "Iguana rinoceronte", Iguana cornuda (español).

The Black iguana (Ctenosaura similis) 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. It is commonly found throughout Costa Rica, Honduras and has been reported in some Colombian islands both in the Caribbean Sea and in the Pacific Ocean.

It has been introduced to southern Florida and breeds in the wild in several feral populations.. On the southwest coast of Florida, has been discovered from Collier County north to Tampa Bay. On the southeastern coast of Florida, black spiny-tailed iguanas have been found in Key Biscayne, Hialeah and in Broward County. This iguana has also been introduced to several Caribbean islands. As this species feeds opportunistically on small vertebrates, like fish, rodents, eggs, birds and even hatchling sea turtles, may pose a threat to native endangered species.

The Black iguana it is a large and bulky lizard, and adult males reach 45 cm long with a tail of 30 cm.. They are predominantly black, but the dorsal surface may show black bands on a greyish background. Most have black mottling on back. The color may also lighten after sunbathing with yellowish and orange markings becoming apparent along the sides..

Adult males and females are dimorphic. Adult males have well-developed dorsal crests and small dewlaps.. double chin, the crescent of skin that may extend under the throat, it is not inflated. A small spine bends to extend the jowls during moments of threat, courtship or defense of territory. Females lack obvious crests. There is considerable variation with age and sex, so identification can be difficult.

These iguanas have ringed tails with rows of sharp, curved spines., hence also the name Spiny-tailed Iguana. The spines on the back are short. Juveniles tend to be olive green, turning tan and finally grayish as they grow.

These lizards are great diggers and hunters.. They are around ruins, stone walls, open rocky slopes and branches of large trees along the open edges of forests. They usually live in dry land, arid and open.

This species can be belligerent and can bite or injure an aggressor with its spines.. More terrestrial than aboral, can run bipedally. Highly gregarious and territorial, these iguanas live in colonies, governed by a strict pecking order. One male of the colony is the dominant, and although the other males have territories, they only defend them against each other and not against the leader. Territorial deployments include color changes, body inflation, jaw clicking, "push-ups" or rapid movements of the head and, sometimes, bite and tail swipe battles. Larger males tend to have bigger and better territories and mate more often. Fighting usually occurs when iguanas gain or defend territory or a mate..

The male always courts, but you can only move forward if your partner provides you with the right stimuli. She must respond with sexual stimuli, and as one of its own kind; with a female of the wrong species their reproductive investments would result in sterile hybrids, if there is any baby. You should also point out that you are receptive, with mature eggs ready for fertilization. Some of the visual cues that are often important in courtship are that males often bite, scratch or lick females that have signaled their receptivity.

Juvenile iguanas usually come out of the nest hole together, a strategy against predators in which many eyes are better than two and large numbers make individual capture less likely. Young iguanas usually remain in a group and one of them temporarily behaves as a leader. They lick each other's tongues and groom each other, and rub their body and chin. At night they usually sleep together in the branches.

This species reaches sexual maturity around 3 or 4 years of age. They gather and mate during specific times of the year that vary between populations. Male iguanas have a pair of intromittent organs., los hemipenes. when they are not used, hemipenes are found adjacent to the cloaca at the base of the tail.

During sexual activity, one of the hemipenis everts by the action of the muscles and fills with blood.. in copulation, that follows courtship behavior, only one hemipenis inserts into the female's cloaca, and the sperm travel along a groove in the hemipenis. The retraction of the hemipenis is carried out by draining the blood sinuses and activating the retractor muscles that invert the structure when withdrawing it..

In the breeding season, oviparous females migrate to suitable nesting areas. After digging a burrow half a meter deep, the female lays from 2 to 25 eggs in the nest. She then defends the burrow for some time to prevent other females from nesting in the same place.. Young iguanas are born between 3 and 4 months later and take a week to leave the nest. These little iguanas fit easily in the palm of one hand.. If they survive the difficult first years of life, where food is often scarce and predators, like hawks and owls, they are a danger, these iguanas can live more than 60 years.

Diet Black iguana it is generally herbivorous, especially leguminous fruits, but it is also known to have a diverse carnivorous diet consisting of small animals.

The Black iguana has eaten rodents, bats, frogs, small birds and a wide variety of insects. They have even been observed to eat the eggs of their own young and, in a case, the tail of a juvenile was found inside an adult male, suggesting cannibalism. The young are mainly insectivorous., transitioning to herbivorous habits as adults.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

Man and his domestic animals are inevitably destroying the environment of these iguanas. The domestic animals, like the cows, devour most of the vegetation, what is the food source of iguanas. Its meat is savored in many parts of the world, but it is not exploited in excess. In some parts of South America, iguanas are hunted by men who imitate the cries of hawks. The iguana's reaction to screaming is to "freeze" and are then easily caught.

The presence of human settlements in coastal areas is an important displacement factor for many species; as well as the fragmentation of the forests and the devastation of mangroves.

In Mexico, the NAME-059-SEMARNAT-2010 considers this iguana as Threatened; the IUCN 2019-1 like Least concern.

To keep the Ctenosaura similis (Black iguana) as appropriate as possible to the species, we recommend the following conditions. Especially when the minimum size is specified, note that optimal conditions can only be achieved in much larger terrariums.

• temperatures during the day: 25°-35°C (place of asoleo local approx. 40-45°C)
• Night temperatures: 18-22°C
• Humidity: approx.. 50% during the day and 80-90% At night
• Minimum size of the terrarium: starting at 300 x 250 x 180 cm for two animals

The Black iguana often found in nature in multiples. has been individually maintained, in pairs or in a group with a single male and three to four females. But, the terrarium must be large enough and have enough structures. It is best to plan an indoor terrarium for a group. For a terrarium for two animals, should have at least 300 x 250 x 180 cm.. For a group, terrariums of more than 400 x 350 surface cm.

Diet Black iguana consists mainly of leafy plants, seedlings, flowers, herbs and rarely fruits. They are also eaten by insects and should also be offered. It also, from time to time it is necessary to make available to these iguanas smaller mammals. Vegetables like carrots, cucumber and tomato are also important foods. Adult animals feed on a 80-90% vegetarian, young feed mainly on insects.

no lettuce, iceberg lettuce or similar, since the calcium-phosphorus content is unfavorable in this case. And cabbage or spinach should rarely be fed due to oxalic acid.

Additional vitamin and mineral supplements are recommended.

The temperature for these terrarium animals should be 25-35°C during the day, the solar island 40-45°C and between 18-22°C at night. The humidity should be around 50% during the day and 80-90% At night.

The terrarium can be furnished with numerous stones, climbing facilities, a bathing area, remained, foliage, cork and bark tubes, which also offer many hiding places. To keep the Black iguana many structures and opportunities are needed to hide.

For your well-being, good lighting and ultraviolet light are necessary (30% of UVA rays and 10-12% UVB), as well as a place to sunbathe. UV radiation is very important and absolutely necessary. In the case of females, it is necessary to provide a suitable place for laying eggs or several possibilities.

For fluid intake, an additional water bowl can be placed, that is cleaned daily.

Usually, the Black iguana hibernates for about four weeks at about 18°C.

The Black iguana is sexually mature after two years. A female lays up 80 eggs after about eight weeks. A 28-30°C y 90-100% moisture, the young hatch after about three months. It is essential to give young people enough calcium and vitamins.

The price of a "Black iguana" at the exotic animal market, ranges between 40 – 60 euros for a baby.

1. Black iguana, Black spiny-tailed iguana (English).
2. Cténosaure noir, Iguane à queue épineuse noire (French).
3. Gemeiner Schwarzleguan, Schwarzer Leguan, Stachelig-angebundener Leguan (German).
4. Iguana-Negra, Iguana de cauda espinhosa preta, Ctenossauro preto (Portuguese).
5. "Iguana rayada", Iguana negra de cola espinosa, Iguana de cola espinosa de Gray, Tilcampo, Chiguipile o Tolok (español).

The Western spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata) is originally from western Mexico. Its distribution area extends from Sinaloa to Oaxaca.. It was introduced in Brownsville (Texas) and in South Florida. There are several feral populations. On the southeast coast of Floria, the western Mexican black iguana is found on Key Biscayne, Hialeah and in Broward County. It has also been sighted off the southwestern coast of Florida., on the island of Gasparilla. It is estimated that there are currently 12.000 iguanas on this island. Over the years 70, some animals from homes were released into the wild. These iguanas are considered a nuisance on Gasparilla Island because they eat ornamental flowers and shrubs., as well as the nesting birds and turtle eggs.

• Cyclura pectinata – Wiegmann, 1834
• Cyclura pectinata – Duméril & Bibron, 1837
• Ctenosaura pectinata – Gray, 1845
• Ctenosaura brevirostris – Cope, 1886
• Ctenosaura teres brachylopha – Cope, 1886
• Ctenosaura brachylopha – Bailey, 1928
• Ctenosaura parkeri – Bailex, 1928
• Ctenosaura pectinata – Smith & Taylor, 1950
• Ctenosaura pectinata – Conant & Collins, 1991
• Ctenosaura pectinata – Liner, 1994
• Ctenosaura (Ctenosaura) pectinata – Köhler et to the., 2000
• Ctenosaura (Ctenosaura) pectinata – Köhler, 2003

The Western spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata) It is one of the largest members of the Spinytail iguanas (Ctenosaura) and can reach a body length of about 140,0 centimeters, the female being smaller than the male, reaching a body length of about 100,0 centimeters. The head has an elongated and flat shape. The eyes are in a fairly large socket and are covered by an upper and lower lid with small granular scales.. From the upper edge of the eye, a series of larger scutes extend to the snout, forming a border that abruptly separates the lateral surface of the head from the superior. The nostril lies above the anterior end of this crest. The supraorbital scutes are separated from this border by smaller ones and are also surrounded above by a row of smaller scutes.. Between the supraorbital scutes extends a row of large arched scutes on each side. Both rows touch between the eyes, but they diverge anteriorly and posteriorly so that they are separated in front and behind the eyes by several smaller scutes. The scutes of these rows have a longitudinal keel. the front shields, that cover the snout, they are usually adorned with three keels each, that usually always take the longitudinal direction of the animal in the upper part. The nape shields are smooth and surround a large central nuchal shield.. Most of the nine superior labial shields have a longitudinal groove and, therefore, they seem to be double keeled. The lower labial shields have a similar groove.

These are followed, down, four rows of smaller, elongated scutes on each side, and the space between them, below, it is covered by even smaller and equally smooth scutes. The scales on the back are made up of very small, flat scales.. The scales of the abdomen are rhombic., much larger than those on back and each with a longitudinal keel. A sharp skin fold runs down the back of the thigh. The scales on the underside of the lower leg are keeled and larger than the rounded, keeled scales on the upper leg.. Tail scales are about the size of the upper and lower ventral scales, hexagonal and keeled. The male has a dorsal crest that continues to the tail.. A powerful double chin is also clearly seen in the head area, although it can not be inflated. Seems like it's just for show. Juveniles are predominantly gray-green in color. This coloration serves as camouflage and makes them not so easy for natural enemies to find.. Coloration of adults varies from brown, grey-brown and grey-black. The back usually has dark bands. But, black drawings may also appear on a gray-brown background coloration.

It is a species of diurnal habits that lives in humid environments of the Pacific coasts, in the middle deciduous forest, low deciduous and in thorny scrub. The Western spiny-tailed iguana usually found in ravines near streams, their favorite places are rocky places on dry land; also climbs trees and many individuals live in branches and hollow trunks. It is also mentioned that it lives in rocky places in the low jungle and on the coast., although it also usually lives in tropical oak forests and pastures.

The registered localities where this species is distributed are close to tourist places, so federal roads and highways have been built, as well as roads for access to forest support; this has contributed to habitat fragmentation through deforestation, In addition, there is a high population explosion, livestock and forestry development, inappropriate use of resources and degradation of natural habitats due to urbanization.

Takes refuge between rocks when someone approaches, in the treetops, between hollow logs, and tree hollows .

It is a species that lives in the humid environments of the Pacific coast, in an average deciduous forest that presents an open canopy, where most of the trees lose their leaves and the maximum height they reach is less than 20m. in low deciduous jungle, What is a plant community? 4 at 15m height where more than 75% of the species lose their leaves during the dry season; and in thorny scrub where they present a physiognomy composed of ramifications (very broken and elongated) covered with spines, the dominant species are: ocotillo, huizache and mesquite.

The Western spiny-tailed iguana is generally considered aggressive and belligerent. This is especially manifested in the colonies, where the males fiercely defend their small territories. In doing so, they swipe with their tails or even bite. Although they live mainly on land, they are also excellent climbers. It prefers a rocky habitat with many crevices where it can hide.. It also, the Western Mexican Black Iguana is diurnal and can move quite quickly, thus escaping from their natural enemies.

If you feel cornered, can also defend. If one male gets too close to another and his territory, it often comes to a fierce fight. aggressiveness is expressed, in particular, with vigorous head bobbing and tail slapping. The reason for territorial defense is clear. The more exposed the location of the territory, the greater the chances of mating with a female. The best places are claimed by the adult males.

The Western spiny-tailed iguana it is basically omnivorous. Especially when he's young, eat mostly animal-based foods, besides the vegetables. This includes insects, crustaceans, birds, their young and eggs, amphibians and small rodents. Plant foods especially include legumes, ripe fruits and various vegetables. Cannibalism is not unknown to the Western spiny-tailed iguana. Adult animals do not even stop at smaller conspecifics. But, the Western spiny-tailed iguana adults feed mainly on plants.

The Western spiny-tailed iguana reaches sexual maturity at three to four years of age. Mating takes place in spring. during mating, the hemipenis of the male becomes visible, that hides protectively in a skin fold of the cloaca outside of mating season. During mating itself, the hemipenis is pushed out of the skinfold by muscle contraction and fills with blood until it swells. Now the sperm are released into the female's cloaca through the hemipenis. After successful fertilization, the female looks for a protected place shortly before the end of gestation and begins to dig a hole. puts up 50 eggs in this pit. After laying the eggs, the pit is carefully closed. The female stays near the clutch for some time., protecting her from natural enemies and other females. After between 90 and 120 days, young lizards hatch from their eggs. The young in a clutch are usually all born in one week.. They are alone from the start, since the females do not take care of their young. If they survive the early years, can reach a considerable age. Due to the numerous natural enemies, only a part of the born animals get it.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

This species is classified as «Least concern» by the IUCN Red List , but the species is included in the Mexican Red List NOM-059-2001 as threatened and is currently illegal to hunt in Mexico.

The main threats to Western spiny-tailed iguana are habitat destruction, hunting for meat and skin, domestic and international illegal pet market, hybridism by introduction of similar species, removal by invasive species (for ex. cats), elimination by confusion as a poisonous species and drastic habitat changes in small-range species.

The dry forests where small species live consistently suffer changes in land use due to livestock, that eliminates tree species that represent the only habitat available to them.

Every effort should be made to acquire captive-bred animals, since they are usually more resistant and less skittish, and your purchase helps reduce pressure on wild populations.

There are introduced populations of the Black iguana (Ctenosaura similis) and of the Western spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata) in Florida, and many of these two species are sold in the pet trade.

The requirements of the terrarium for the Western spiny-tailed iguana vary depending on the size of the iguana you have. Below are recommended minimum enclosure sizes for a single Western spiny-tailed iguana or a couple:

Western spiny-tailed iguana smaller that measures less than 45 full length cm: 90 cm long, 60 cm wide and 60 centimeters tall.
larger species, 180 cm long by 60 cm wide and 80 centimeters tall.

The Western spiny-tailed iguana he is a sun-loving saurian. Outdoor enclosures are ideal for them. Indoor enclosures must have full-spectrum lamps along two-thirds or the entire length of the enclosure, plus a sun light bulb (the two, depending on cage size) at one end. To get the most benefit from full spectrum lights, sun shelves or other places should be located no more than 25 cm from the(s) lightbulb(s).
The ambient temperature in the enclosure should be between 25 °C y 30 °C and the sunny areas must reach between 35 °C y 40 °C.

You can use the cypress substrate. Rabbit pellets can also be used, but you don't have to nebulize them. Provide plenty of branches and/or cork boards for your Western spiny-tailed iguana can climb. There should also be several hiding places, as cork bark holes of suitable size. It is good to include live edible plants, like hibiscus, whose flowers and leaves are edible. Buy the plants at least 30 days before you are going to use them, since many systemic pesticides and fertilizers can remain active in plants and soil for at least 30 days.

Food at Western spiny-tailed iguana adult with a wide range of foods, like mixed greens, grated carrots, mulberry and hibiscus leaves, and edible wild plants such as purslane, the Clover, the dandelions, vegetables and flowers. Seasonal fruits and vegetables may also be offered. Give the hatchlings and juveniles of Western spiny-tailed iguana the same diet as adults, except that you can also provide them with some insects, mostly crickets half the size of the young lizards' heads. They can also be offered to Zoophobas, tomato hornworms and silkworms. Calcium and vitamin supplements should be given two or three times a week (pregnant females should receive calcium supplements daily). There are also dry commercial diets for iguanas.

The preferred method of irrigation is water misting, especially for the pups Western spiny-tailed iguana, since they will drink the drops of the plants. You can also have a water dish inside the enclosure; make sure it's heavy enough so it doesn't tip over. Misting in the water dish can help draw your Iguana's attention to it. Do not vaporize if you use rabbit pellets as a substrate.

A good way to build trust and calm the new Western spiny-tailed iguana is to feed it by hand. Once they are comfortable with your presence and take the food from your fingers, you can start taking them. when picking up one Western spiny-tailed iguana, it is best to approach slowly and place your hand palm up in front of the lizard. Try putting your other hand behind the iguana and gently bring it closer to your hand. Never hold the animal by the tail, because it can break. Each Western spiny-tailed iguana is different. Some are so tame and curious that they seem to enjoy human interaction.. Others are a bit elusive and require a little more patience when interacting.. Any Western spiny-tailed iguana one that doesn't like being handled will still make a good show animal.

It is very difficult to find one "Western spiny-tailed iguana" bred in captivity. if you find it, they can ask up to 3000 euros for an individual of this species. Make sure you have all the papers in order and that you have passed all the health checks.

1. Western spiny-tailed iguana, Mexican spinytailed iguana, Spiny-tailed iguana, Black spiny-tailed iguana, Guerreran spiny-tailed Iguana, Broad-ringed spiny-tailed iguana (English).
2. Iguane à queue épineuse du Mexique (French).
3. Westmexikanische Schwarzleguan, Mexikanischer Leguan (German).
4. Iguana-de-Cauda-Espinhosa-Mexicana (Portuguese).
5. "Iguana negra" (español).

The Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) It inhabits the deserts of the western United States and Mexico and in 30 known islands of the Gulf of Mexico. In particular, the Mojave and Sonoran deserts are known to have thriving populations of chuckwallas. They can be found as far west as southeastern California and Nevada, and are abundant in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and parts of Colorado.

The Common chuckwalla it is a stocky lizard with loose folds of skin near the neck, shoulders and stomach. The skin is covered with hard scales, and the largest are between the nose and the eyes. They have five fingers on each end and the tail is rounded at the tip.. Head color can range from dark brown and gray to dark yellow. Color variation depends on geographic location, the temperature, environment and mood. The tail is thicker near the body and tapers towards the tip.. Males are slightly larger than females and, in some cases, have different scale patterns and head shapes. Females may have a slightly narrower snout and head.. There is also variation in color, juveniles and females have lighter markings than males. The average weight is 245 g. (range of 24 to 315 g.), although males are usually heavier than females. The average length of the head is 35,5 mm and its greatest width is 33,2 mm. The mean length of the snout is 162 mm (range of 80 to 197 mm) and the tail length is 182 mm. Almost half of the length corresponds to the tail.

The Common chuckwalla found in deserts, where the air is warm and dry (of 9 to 45 degrees Celsius). They are found in deserts with rocks and crevices to hide in., as areas of ancient lava flows, rocky slopes and outcrops. They use burrows and underground cracks to hibernate in winter.. They inhabit insular and coastal environments. These lizards require a moderate amount of vegetation and foliage in the habitat in order to sustain themselves.. The Common chuckwalla can be found between sea level and 1400 m above sea level.

The Common chuckwalla it is mainly solitary and diurnal. They leave rock shelters during the day to eat foliage, but they usually stay close to their shelters. They are active from mid-March to mid-August, but they can aestivate in the summer months when food is scarce. From November to March they can go through brumation (similar to hibernation, but observed in ectotherms). They are active for a 8 hours a day, usually between 06:30 and 19:00. The activity of the Common chuckwalla is greater among 9:15 and 11:30. To avoid overheating, they move in and out of the shade and adopt different orientations towards the sun. Most of their time is spent basking on rocks when they are not foraging for food.. They take refuge in cracks and shallow holes during the hottest part of the day and use these cracks to avoid predators.. Males are territorial and fight over territory and females. The females are not hostile to each other, but the hierarchies of males and females are based on the size.

After a gestation period of one month, females lay eggs in an underground nest. Once the Common chuckwalla come out of the egg, begin to grow at a rate of about 17 mm per year. The Common chuckwalla abandons its young after hatching and the young are independent at that time. They reach sexual maturity around 2 or 3 years. Reaching adult size takes a few 25 years, after which they continue to grow but at a significantly slower rate, of about 5,5 mm per year. Growth rate is related to food abundance. The Common chuckwalla grows more in spring and summer, when the temperature is high and food is plentiful. La muda, or detachment of the epidermis, also occurs in spring, when the growth rate is high.

the courtship of the Common chuckwalla is that males attract females by their size or persistence. Males usually have several females living in their territory and mate with them.. The males of the Common chuckwalla use head movement, the licks, the circles, the pushes, jaw rubs and other methods to persuade females to mate. Females allow copulation if they determine the male is desired., males can prevail if they are big and forceful. During copulation, males use their mandibles to grasp females by the loose skin on the nape of the neck. Mating usually takes place in early spring, after hibernation. Both sexes have multiple partners year after year. Males compete for females by biting and head-butting..

The Common chuckwalla breeds between April and August, when food is more abundant. When females are receptive, your ovaries enlarge. Males produce sperm each year., while females produce eggs every two years, average. Males reach sexual maturity when they reach 125 mm length at snout, that is to say, to the 2 years of age. Females reach sexual maturity at the same length, but they may take 2 to 3 years to reach it. The average clutch size per breeding season varies from 5 to 16 eggs and the annual reproductive frequency of each female varies greatly from year to year depending on food availability and rainfall. Some females produce two separate clutches., others produce none. The females incubate the eggs until they hatch.. The incubation period lasts about 35 days (range of 33 to 50 days). The hatching mass range of eggs is 6,0 to 9,6 g.. Larger females produce clutches more often than smaller females.. But, smaller females may breed in consecutive years.

Females prepare an underground nest in an area with dry soil that is unlikely to be disturbed.. The females protect their eggs from predators and other threats while they incubate them.. But, after hatching, females no longer care for their young. Males do not provide parental care.

The Common chuckwalla It is herbivorous and feeds on perennial and annual plants.. Their diet is usually high in fiber and low in fat and protein. Annual plants make up the 60% your diet in the summer months, while the perennials suppose the 40%. When annual plants die in winter, perennials become their main food source. They have been observed feeding on the leaves and fruit of creosote bushes in the summer months. (Pasture tridentate), as well as some insects that reside in the vegetation they eat. The (Oenothera clavaeformis) and the desert ambrosia (Franseria dumosa) are the main plants in the diet of the Common chuckwalla. In captivity they feed on various vegetables, fruits and flowers. They obtain water from the plants they eat and produce it metabolically.

The Common chuckwalla usually live 10 years or more, if the right conditions are met, limited predation and adequate food availability. The half-life in nature is estimated to be about 15 years. Although there is considerable variability from year to year, Survival in the first year is estimated to be 38%. The mortality of the eggs is the one that most affects the survival of animals less than one year old. Those who survive beyond one year experience a median survival of 75% annual. The Common chuckwalla oldest known in nature had 30 years. The Common chuckwalla oldest in captivity lived to be 65 years.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The populations of Common chuckwalla are protected by national parks and, course, for its remote habitat (rugged terrain and harsh climate). Trends toward development in desert areas of the United States and parts of Mexico are affecting the habitat of the Common chuckwalla; However, the status of the population as a whole has been reported as large and stable.

The commercial sales of Common chuckwalla have not shown any major impact on the species as a whole, but some subspecies are locally threatened by overharvesting and habitat degradation. The South Mountain Subpopulation, near phoenix (Arizona), is in the spotlight because it has a unique color pattern that is desirable for the pet trade. The Colorado River Dam has greatly reduced the populations of Common chuckwalla in the Glen Canyon area, in Utah, and goat herding activities, sheep and donkeys have shown a small negative impact. In general, the IUCN classifies the Common chuckwalla like "Least concern» due to the wide distribution of the population and the absence of immediate threats. Although the total size of the population is not known, it is estimated that the total size of the adult population could be 100.000 or more.

The necessary size of the terrarium for a "Common chuckwalla" is of 120 cm long x 100 cm wide x 60 cm high or 120 cm long x 60 cm wide x 100 centimeters tall, respectively. The terrarium consists of a combination of wood and glass. Inside the terrarium there may be a self-made rear wall with many protrusions and indentations. The Common chuckwalla use almost exclusively the back wall and rarely stay on the ground. There may be a large ventilation area at the front under sliding glass over the entire length of the terrarium. in addition, about half of the lid consists of a ventilation zone to ensure the necessary ventilation.

The terrarium substrate consists of a mixture of Lucky Reptile Desert Bedding and shell sand. To some Common chuckwalla they like to eat the small pieces of crushed rock from the shell. There can also be multiple roots, cork tubes, stones and branches in the terrarium. Live plants are eaten immediately, so you should no longer use real plants for decoration. Stones and heavy objects must be firmly anchored, since the animals like to undermine everything and then there is danger of collapse.

Light is a crucial factor in keeping and rearing these lizards.. The terrarium can be illuminated with two T9 fluorescent tubes of 38W each.. Two Solar Raptors 70W serve as heat and UV source. It also, every hour a SolarGlo 150W from Exoterra.
The temperature in the terrarium ranges between 26°C and 30°C. Temperatures of up to 42°C are reached under the radiators. The humidity is around 40% during the day and go up to the 60% At night.

The Common chuckwalla Adult feeds almost exclusively on plants.. Juveniles occasionally hunt grasshoppers, crickets and worms. It is important to feed the animals with a varied diet so that there is no imbalance in the mineral balance. Vegetable food is given daily. During the week, they can have a fast day. What must never be forgotten is to regularly supplement the diet with a vitamin preparation.

You can give them grated carrot, all kinds of lettuce, dandelion and its flowers, Cucumber, cooked rice, zucchini, Peppers, strawberries, raspberries, grated apple and rarely banana. Caution. Please, don't feed them cabbage, as this causes life-threatening flatulence. as with all animals, you have to try what and how much they like to eat. In principle, you can't overfeed them with vegetables, so you always have to have something available.

A great gift is assorted sprouts that you can grow yourself on the windowsill. As such, I spread the lentils, wheat and millet in a container with moist soil and water them daily. after only three days, you can see the first spikes growing out of the ground. After a week and a half or two, the chuckwallas get the bowl with the fresh green.

There is also always a bowl with various grains, like red and brown lentils, special dry food for herbivores, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
Of course, a bowl of water should not be missing either.

Hibernation is an important part of the life of the Common chuckwalla all the years.

At the end of October / beginning of November, animals become increasingly lethargic and reduce their food intake.

Light duration is reduced from 12-14 to 5 hours a day for weeks while minimizing feeding.

During this time, just offer more water.

for the final hibernation, the animals are moved to a terrarium, similar to turtles.

The optimum temperature is between 12 – 10 degrees.

They wake up slowly in mid to early March.

The hibernation of Common chuckwalla it is a somewhat difficult matter, since the animals should not wake up too early.

This means that the process of lowering lighting and temperature, as well as upload it, must be done very slowly.

The "Common chuckwalla" not an easy reptile to find. Its price in the exotic animal market ranges from 200 – 300 EUR. It is important that your acquisition comes from animals bred in captivity to preserve their status in the natural environment.

1. Common chuckwalla (English).
2. Chuckwalla (French).
3. Chuckwalla (German).
4. Chuckwalla comum (Portuguese).
5. "Chacahuala del Noroeste" (español).

The Angel Island chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus) it is found in the northwestern islands of the Gulf of California (Mexico): Guardian angel, Granite, Mejia, Pond, Saint Lawrence North, South San Lorenzo and smaller islets in the Bay of Los Angeles (Horse's head, Window, Louse, Arrow, Mitlán and Coronado). These islands make the west cool and mild in winter and hot in summer..

The Angel Island chuckwalla it is the second largest species of the genus Sauromalus (chuckwallas), reaching 44 cm of body length and 64 full length cm, and weighing up to 1,4 kg. It is considered a gigantic species, as it is two to three times the size of their counterparts on the continent. Its body color is a dark brown color with black transverse bands that fade into a solid darker brown to black color as the animal ages..

The vegetation is dominated by xerophytic plants. Characteristic are the large cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) and creosote bushes (Larrea tridentata).

The Angel Island chuckwalla it is present in all the smaller islands, but generally prefers the vicinity of rocky areas where animals find their hiding places.

But, due to the influence of the sea, humidity is generally higher than in mainland parts of the Sonoran Desert and rises sharply at night, with occasional early morning mists. Extreme temperatures are a minimum of 8 °C and a maximum of 43 C.

When two adults meet, they occasionally flatten on their sides and threaten each other with typical iguana “shoves” and head nods. But, the animals do not come any closer and move to another rock after a short time.

Also striking is the general absence of any flight reaction towards humans..

Once the morning mist has cleared (between the 8 and 10 in the morning), the Angel Island chuckwalla appears on rocks to warm up in the sun. After the first sunbaths in the morning, many of the observed animals migrate to the canyon, where they feast on growing strawberries.

In the afternoon there is a second phase of activity, in which many animals go back into the canyon and look for food there.

State of conservation ⓘ
in danger ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The Angel Island chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus) has recently been assessed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2018. Sauromalus hispidus is listed as In danger under criterion B1b

The islands of the distribution area of ​​the Angel Island chuckwalla have been protected by the Mexican government through the decree of the 2 in August of 1978 as "Reserve and Refuge for Migratory Birds and Wild Fauna". It also, Mexican legislation prohibits in principle the capture of reptiles for commercial purposes from 1952.

The Environmental Protection Law of 1988 establishes in principle that the taking of reptiles from the wild for commercial purposes is permitted under certain conditions, but until 1993 at least, there were no application guidelines for it, and the Mexican government had not issued a single permit for Baja California or the islands of the Gulf of California.

In the Decade of 1970, the giant chuckwallas (mainly Sauromalus varius, but also Sauromalus hispidus) were captured for the pet trade. MELLINK (1993) points out that illegal collection activities continue and that this also affects the Angel Island chuckwalla. While the Sauromalus varius is included in Appendix I of the WA, There is no international protection status for the Angel Island chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus).

It follows that at least most of the giant chuckwallas circulating in the terrarium trade must be illegally harvested animals.; this applies to all animals originating from Baja California or from the islands of the Gulf of California. The Angel Island chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus) it is rare in the international pet trade, but regularly shows up there at fairly high prices as claimed pups (in july 2001 the species was offered by two dealers in Germany). In U.S.A. the Angel Island chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus) is maintained and reproduced by at least three private owners.

The data indicated here are those corresponding to HEIKO WERNING, a breeder of "Angel Island chuckwalla"

All the animals were always kept together in the same terrarium.. Initially I housed them in a terrarium of 150 x 200 x 200 cm. (wedged in a corner of the flat with diagonal walls, hence it only has average measurements), which was lit by an HQI burner of 150 W y luz natural (a "terrarium wall" was an exterior window).

The "terrarium wall" was an exterior window). a focus of 100 W, shining from a distance of about 30 cm on a platform of artificial rock, served as a hot island. Another local heat source was the HQI lamp ballast, which was mounted on the ground and covered by a metal plate. In both heat islands the temperatures were 40-50 C, The ambient temperature in the terrarium varied between 25 and 35 C, depending on the measuring point. In summer, temperatures could rise above (up to about 40 °C ambient temperature), in autumn and spring they were below (up to about 20 °C ambient temperature). At night, values ​​dropped at room temperature (normally 18-22 C). The duration of artificial lighting was 14 constant daily hours outside the winter rest period; the total length of the day varied throughout the year depending on daylight hours in Berlin due to light from outside. In winter, artificial light sources were turned off for a period of 8 to 12 weeks, so that the values ​​dropped to room temperature throughout the day and only natural light from outside illuminated the terrarium.

The terrarium was furnished with artificial rock constructions made of Styrofoam, which were covered with wood glue and then sanded. The artificial rocks manufactured in this way turned out to be quite resistant., even to the mighty claws of the chuckwallas. Several vertical and horizontal "cracks" in the Styrofoam served as hiding places for the lizards, what they used at night, sometimes during the day when it was hot in summer and to hibernate in autumn and winter. The slits were designed in such a way as to provide a comfortable shelter for the animals., but at the same time they always offered contact surfaces from above and below. Sand available on the market was used as substrate., and the set-up was completed with a large climbing branch that almost filled the room and reached just below the HQI spotlight.

In 1999 I move house, and as the new terrarium originally intended for the chuckwallas could not be completed at the moment, they had to move to a much smaller enclosure. They are now kept in a terrarium of 150 x 70 x l00 cm, with whom he had already had a good experience in the maintenance and breeding of common chuckwallas (Sauromalus obesus BAIRD, 1859) (WERNING 1998) and that animals still inhabit today.

Two fluorescent lamps 60 W, a focus of 60 W shining on an artificial rock platform from a distance of 30 cm., and the UV lamp «Osram Ultra Vitalux" from 300 W, which is mounted on the lid and burns irregularly once or twice a day for 1-4 hours from a distance of about 60 cm., serve as lighting. This terrarium is also mainly equipped with artificial rocks (made of polystyrene and polyurethane foam, again painted with wood glue and then sanded). Borders and cork boards serve as additional structural and concealing elements. The temperature and lighting regime is similar to that described above, with the exception that there is hardly any natural light.

The tenarium is watered at irregular intervals at night.

Water is usually available in a small bowl. Animals have never been observed drinking.

According to the herbivorous way of life, I feed my chuckwallas almost exclusively with plant foods. They are fed an average of three to five times a day at will, that is to say, animals receive the amount of food they eat throughout the day. The main ingredient is lettuce, which has a very high calcium content compared to other leaf lettuce. From the beginning, constituted between 2/3 and 80% of the ration. If this lettuce is not available in season, a mixture of green lettuce, iceberg lettuce and other leaf lettuce (trade name "mixed lettuce") served as main food.

This basic diet is supplemented with other plant foods (mainly banana, Cucumber, tomato, chickweed, Apple, strawberries, grapes, carrots); occasionally I also offer food for animals (young mice, grasshopper, zophoba larvae). Juveniles still do not accept animal food; only at the age of 2-3 years showed for the first time a cautious interest. The Sauromalus hispidus adults from about five years of age, on the other hand, they pounce on all offered food with great avidity and clearly prefer it to any type of vegetable food.

Plant feeds were generally mixed with a mixture of vitamins and minerals. There was no exact dose, but they mixed 1-2 ml of the preparation with the green food in approximately three out of four meals as a well-tested empirical value from the care of the Dipsosaurus dorsalis and Common chuckwalla Sauromalus ater.

I feared giving the animals too many vitamins and reduced the addition to every one or two weeks, but I also offered them crushed egg shells and pieces of cuttlefish so that they could meet their calcium needs on their own.. After wintering 1999/2000, clear symptoms (hind leg lameness, slight deformation of the bones) showed that three of the four juveniles of 1997 suffered from a calcium deficiency. A diagnostic examination with rontographs confirmed the suspicion. Two animals died shortly after, one of them could be saved with the administration of vitamin D by the veterinarian. Hind leg injury healed almost completely, the animal returns to normal mobility and shows only slight changes in movement compared to other animals. Since then, the animal has been fed again with a mixture of vitamins and minerals, as described above.

In winter 1999/2000 the animals hibernated from early December to early February. From April 2000, the two adult males displayed completely different behavior. They threaten each other several times a day by flattening on the side and nodding their heads. They stood facing each other, leaning towards each other, so that the two animals together formed almost a circle. after a few nods, they started hitting each other with their tails. Either one of the males ran away, or a few flicks of the tail caused one of the animals to run towards the other and try to bite, what was partially successful. The second male then fled and was chased by the winner through the tenarium for some time., sometimes for several minutes, until finally he left her and the situation relaxed for a while.

In May, these fierce fights, which in two cases resulted in smaller but bloody bite wounds, could be seen almost every hour. But, while they fed, the two males continued to ignore each other and fed together without disturbing each other. If the superior male stood directly in front of the adult female during the chase, he left the adversary and impressed his partner by nodding his head. The 15.5.2001 mating was observed. It took place on the highest rock platform in the corner of the tenaria, illuminated by spotlight. The male had bitten the female's neck in typical iguana fashion and pushed her cloaca below that of his mate.. As I only arrived during copulation, I can't tell how long it lasted. Some 60 Seconds later, the male abandoned the female and a large drop of sperm from the female came out of his cloaca. No more matings could be observed, but the rivalry between the two males remained just as intense until June, and there were repeated clashes between the two until hibernation. In 2001, on the other hand, only very isolated fights without biting attacks were observed between the males.

After observed mating, the female showed a large appetite and quickly gained visibly in body size.

The eggs were visible under the skin when the animal was at rest.. About a week before egg laying, the female began to dig in several places of the ten-ario. In the ten-arium itself there is an artificial rock cavity made of Styrofoam (a few 15 x 30 x 15 cm.), that I have now filled up 2/3 with moist potting soil. The 14.06.2000 The female laid nine eggs of about 40 x 22 mm. It remained in the cavity for about a day. Then, not only was the egg well of the cavity filled with substrate, but the female pushed all the substrate of the terrarium on the artificial cavity, so that it finally disappeared under a mountain of substrate. Eggs were removed shortly after laying and placed in a Styrofoam box converted into an incubator., as described by WERNING (1995). Once the eggs are removed, the female scratched the cavity again to close it completely. For a week or so, seemed to guard the nest cavity and continued to move material up the mountain.

The incubation substrate was moist sand., with which he had already had good experience in laying eggs in the Chacahuala del Noroeste Sauromalus ater. I adjusted the humidity of the substrate with the "safe instinct" that I had already acquired with the other Chuckwallas. The sand is moist but not wet, humidity reaches approx. 90-95 % due to evaporation above the heat source in the brood box. Half of the eggs were buried in the substrate. No light enters the incubator except during controls.

During the first four weeks I incubated at 30ºC, the remaining 6,5 weeks at 32ºC. One egg died after about four weeks for no apparent reason. He seemed to have suddenly lost tension; had softened and yielded. The opening showed that she was fertilized. another egg, after eight weeks of incubation, also collapsed a bit and was without tension. Then I increased the humidity of the substrate a little, the egg recovered after a few days and was plump and firm again.

The 01.09.2000 the first eggs hatched. The 03.09.2000 the eight pups were born. The incubation period was, Therefore, of 80 to 83 days. CARL & JoNES (1979) inform of 94-99 days to 29-31 incubation temperature ºC. In my case, all the young animals first scratched the egg, from which the clear came. Only hours later they took the head out of the egg, followed by the upper body after a few more hours. The pups took a 24 hours to finally hatch. All hatchlings still had a large yolk sac, that were completely reabsorbed during the 48 following hours. During this time I left them in the incubator. The pups measured between 5,5 and 6,1 cm. in length and between 10,1 and 12,3 cm.. So, hatchlings were much smaller than previously reported in the literature (CARL & JoNES 1979: 7,2 cm., SYLBER 1985: 7,1 cm.). Egg sizes also remained below literature values. (CARL & JoNES 1979: 44 x 29 mm, SYLBER 1985: 50 x 35 mm), the smallest clutch size known so far was given by CASE (1982) with 14. But, according to the same author, the smallest female known so far to have reproduced, with a length of 24 cm., was already considerably larger than my female with 18 cm..

The newborn pups seemed very weak and barely moved, so I feared that they would not be viable. Once the yolk sac is completely reabsorbed, I placed them in the breeding room. In a few minutes they cheered, they ran around the tank, they caressed all the furniture and even nibbled on a piece of wood from a root.

The average breeding terrarium 100 x 60 x 50 cm and was equipped with two fluorescent lamps of 40 W and a focus of 60 W that illuminated a root from a distance of about 20 cm.. It also, juveniles were irradiated several times a week for 1-2 hours with an Osram Ultra Vitalux lamp.

The glass of the terrarium was replaced by a grid so that the UV rays were not filtered and the lamp was placed at a few 50 cm in front of tenarium. Young animals reacted immediately to radiation. They reached out and clung to the net to get as close to the radiation source as possible.. when they had enough, they gradually retreated to their hiding places.

In addition to the root mentioned, a small artificial rock from the shops and a stack of compressed cork sheets arranged in such a way that there were enough indentations to hide were used as furniture. The back and side walls are pasted over with decorative cork boards, which allowed the animals to climb the walls a little, although the little ones are already quite clumsy when climbing vertical surfaces. I initially chose quartz sand as the substrate, but after discussing with two terrarium keepers I decided to use only cellulose cloths (kitchen towels), as they both reported for their experience of death traps in young Uromastyx and Sauromalus, that had occurred due to clogging as a result of massive ingestion of sand.

feeding the little girl Angel Island chuckwalla did not cause any problems. From the first day in the breeding terrarium they ate all the vegetable food that was offered to them.. Feeding was similar to that of adults.. From the beginning, small crickets were offered, wax moth caterpillars and cockroaches for interest, but the chuckwallas ignored them. Today, they do not accept food of animal origin.

In December, the little ones chuckwallas were subjected to a three-week "mini-hibernation" with the lights off and at room temperature (a few 20 C).

At four months, I moved the young animals to a larger terrarium (150 x 70 x 100 cm.). So far no interactions between the animals have been observed., apart from occasional mutual nods. But, a young man lagged behind in growth. Only too late did I realize I wasn't eating enough. when i split it, he was already refusing food and died shortly after at five months. After nine months there were two more losses. One was apathetic and separated. Although he kept eating, died after a few days. The same day, another animal in the group died without any previous signs of disease. The necropsy revealed a massive salmonella infestation in both animals as the probable cause.. The swabs from the other animals showed the same results., and an antibiogram revealed the sensitivity of microorganisms to Baytril. treatment with Baytril was carried out successfully under veterinary supervision.

When buying a reptile with these characteristics, it is an obligation to make sure that the store where it is sold is certified and has the necessary permits according to the law so that you do not have any type of problem., if it complies and is in order, you make sure to buy an animal that is not in danger of extinction since they are surely from specialized farms for the sale of this particular species.

Please be aware and for no reason acquire animals in clandestine shops illegally or on the black market.. Since you favor the disappearance of species that are in danger of extinction.

1. Angel Island chuckwalla, Spiny chuckwalla (English).
2. Chuckwalla épineux (French).
3. Angel Island Chuckwalla, Stachelige Chuckwalla (German).
4. Chuckwalla espinhosa, Angel island chuckwalla, Ilha dos Anjos chuckwalla (Portuguese).
5. "Iguana espinosa", Chacahuala de la Isla Angel de la Guarda (español).