The Green iguana (Iguana iguana) belongs to the iguana family (Iguanidae). There are two subspecies, Iguana iguana iguana and Iguana iguana rhinolopha. The latter has two or three horns on the muzzle and thus can be distinguished from the Iguana iguana. A few years ago two other subspecies of the Green iguana: Iguana iguana insularis and Iguana iguana sanctaluciae.

The native range of the Green iguana (Iguana iguana) stretches from southern Mexico to central Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia and the Caribbean; specifically Grenada, Aruba, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, San Vicente and Útila. They have been introduced in Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic), Guadalupe, Texas, Florida, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands USA. It also, green iguanas colonized the island of Anguilla in 1995 after being swept away by a hurricane. Although the species is not native to Martinique, in the historic Fort of San Luis there is a small wild colony of green iguanas released or escaped.

What does a Green iguana?

The Green iguana is a large reptile with a powerful body that can reach a length of almost two meters. But, the average size of a Green iguana is closer to the 1,50 m, much of which is due to its long tail. The body grows to a few 50 cm in males and some 40 cm in females. When fully developed, the Green iguana weighs about ten kilograms. With good care, They can live up to 20 years.

Young iguanas are characterized by a strong green color. With the age, green coloration decreases and becomes darker, sometimes even brown or grayish. They have a crest on the back and tail and usually have dark bands on the body and tail.. The head is characterized by a blunt snout, from which hangs a membranous gular pouch with a large jagged crest.

As inhabitants of the trees, the Green iguana can climb well. Their sharp claws also help them do that.. Diurnal animals can also swim well. As for his character, green iguanas are considered curious, sensitive and relatively confident, although, of course, they are not at all cuddly animals. If the danger threatens, the Green iguana can wag tail like lizards. Then it grows back, but it falls shorter.

Green is not the only color that can be shown by Green iguanas. Its hue is usually bluish and can change throughout your life. Many Green Iguanass become more and more pink, brown, grey or almost black. The Green iguanas are characterized by their scaly and delicate skin. A thorny ridge runs through the back of reptiles; have a double chin under their chin.

The natural habitat of the Green iguana are the rainforests of the lowlands, in the vicinity of large bodies of water. Populations in coastal regions with low rainfall are extremely rare.

Animals are diurnal and spend most of their time in trees and like to bathe. Although they are considered sociable, there is usually only one adult male in a group. It is important to keep this in mind when keeping them in a terrarium., otherwise fights may occur. A Green iguana can even become meek, which is noticeable in the fact that he greets contact persons by nodding his head..

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The Green iguana is included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which means that international trade is regulated by the CITES permit system. It also, the Green iguana is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, mentioning that habitat depletion by development is a potential concern for populations of Green iguana in the future. Historically, green iguana meat and eggs have been consumed as a source of protein throughout their range, and are appreciated for their supposed medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. Efforts have been made in the past to breed green iguanas in captivity as a food source in an attempt to encourage more sustainable land use in Panama and Costa Rica..

• Type of terrarium Jungle or tree terrarium
• Temperature of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius during the day, 20-25 degrees Celsius at night
• Humidity High humidity
• Need for sun A sunny place per animal is required with temperatures of approximately 35 – 40 Celsius degrees.

If you want to have a Green iguana, you need a lot of space. Since these animals can reach two meters or more, a medium-sized terrarium is not enough for good conservation. Yes, you Green iguana has to live tight, won't feel comfortable with you. The minimum size of the terrarium for a Green iguana adult should be 300 x 200 x 250 centimeters. Young animals are raised in a smaller terrarium. It is important to have a sufficient height with many climbing branches so that the animals can climb. Animals like to rest on horizontal branches under a spotlight.

If several animals are housed in the same terrarium, they need enough hiding places so they don't look all the time. Thick PVC pipes into which a board or floor is inserted are suitable for this purpose. The ground should be covered with sphagnum, sawdust, linoleum or tiles. Coatings with sharp edges, such as expanded clay or gravel, are absolutely inadequate.

Even with a spacious terrarium, is controversial among terrarium enthusiasts whether the Green iguana must be kept in a terrarium in general. As an alternative, if you have the opportunity, it's a good idea to host the Green iguana in your own reptile room. As long as you can create in it the right weather conditions, this option is preferable to a large terrarium.

A rainforest or tree terrarium is suitable for maintaining a Green iguana. It doesn't matter which variant you choose: Temperatures and humidity must be adequate for green iguanas to feel comfortable in them. Temperatures should range from 25 and 35 degrees during the day and at least 20 degrees at night. It also creates a warmer place where the temperature is between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius. If you have several animals in the same terrarium, each of them needs what is called a sun point.

The humidity of the terrarium should be between the 60 and the 80 percent during the day and between 80 and the 95 percent at night. Animals also need UV-B lighting for about twelve hours a day.. To adapt the climate to the natural habitat, animals and terrarium should be sprayed with water daily. During the winter period (December-April), the climate must be maintained 5 cooler and drier degrees Celsius. To avoid bacteria and mold, the terrarium should also be well ventilated.

Equip the terrarium or reptile room with enough branches and trunks to climb and rest. Branches for climbing should be at least as thick as the trunk of the lizard. Rocks are also useful, the roots and the cork caves. It is also important to have a water basin with a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. It is best to heat it with a bottom heater or a heater in the filter.

You can use real or artificial plants in the terrarium of your iguanas. Real plants are good for the climate, but they can be crushed or eaten. So, real plants must definitely be non-toxic. The substrate must be dry and absorbent.

So that your Green iguana stays well, prudent care is essential. Good care starts with diet. The green iguanas are vegetarian, so animal foods shouldn't be on your menu. Exceptions are young iguanas and pregnant females, whose diet should consist of a 15% of animal feed (insects and eggs).

A varied diet is important to ensure a sufficient supply of nutrients. Leafy greens should make up the main part of the diet, around the 60%. These may include, can be fed with dandelion, Canons, clover, rib or parsley grass. To the green iguanas they also like cabbage. The 40% remaining diet should consist of flowers (30%) and fruits (10%). Papaya, strawberries, mandarins or prickly pear figs are suitable. The foliage of trees is particularly greedily consumed by animals. You can supplement your diet with vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent malnutrition. Animal feed should never exceed the 5%. Its excess can cause kidney problems in animals.

Hygiene also plays an important role in maintaining green iguanas. Infestation with parasites such as mites and worms is relatively common in green iguanas. Thorough hygiene prevents pathogens and, Therefore, diseases. Remove food scraps and droppings every day, change the water daily and clean the entire terrarium regularly. Diseases that are comparatively common in green iguanas include putrefaction of the mouth, tail necrosis and intestinal and respiratory diseases.

In the wild, the Green iguana lives in groups consisting of one male and several females. So, you should not maintain a Green iguana individually. You can keep them in pairs or in a small group with a maximum of one male.. The latter option is more relaxed for females, since during the mating season a single female is not too harassed by the male.

It is not recommended to keep several males together. Especially dominant males do not get along with each other. Especially in the season of heat, animals have a marked territorial behavior, which can lead to bloody conflicts between males. In any case, they should only be kept together in very large terrariums with enough hiding places.

Iguanas also get along well with the turtle (Terrapene) of the warmest regions. On the other hand, the Common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) wave Marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) should not be kept together with the green iguanas. The similar appearance in terms of physique and color can cause stress in animals.

It is not the same to have a reptile in the living room of the house than a cat, a dog or rabbit. These exotic inhabitants need adequate climatic conditions and can suffer damage if poorly maintained.. Some species are so demanding that it is desirable or necessary to have previous experience in maintaining terrariums..

The green iguanas fall into this category. They are less forgiving of breeding errors than other reptiles. So, this species of iguana is not the best choice for beginners. Inadequate breeding conditions can lead to illness or premature death of the animal.

Just because of the size of the animals, you should think carefully about whether you can really meet the requirements to have green iguanas. A standard terrarium is usually not enough to keep large reptiles. Don't be dazzled by the small size of very young animals in pet stores. Must be able to offer the animal the space it needs when it has grown.

The green iguanas can be purchased from reputable breeders. Make sure the maintenance conditions are good and the animals look clean, well fed and, in general, healthy. You can also find them at a rescue center or animal shelter.. The pet shop is also a place to go, but here it is not known where the animals come from or under what conditions they have been raised.

For reasons of protection of species and the environment, you should not buy wild-caught animals, especially since they are usually in a worse state of health than the offspring.

The green iguanas cost between 50 and 100 euros per copy. Adult specimens are more expensive, just like the rarest color varieties. The costs of the terrarium and its equipment are much higher than those of the animals themselves. You also have to take into account the costs of food and electricity.

Live some 10 years.

Its natural habitat is in central and central South America., and prefers rainforests and savannah forests with proximity to water. In the news, the iguana is also native to some Caribbean islands and parts of Florida.

Due to its size, iguanas need very large terrariums with dimensions of approximately 300 x 200 x 250 cm..

Animals are not easy to distinguish. Male iguanas have a larger throat pouch, larger femoral pores, a thicker tail root and a wider head than females when they are between one and two years old. During the mating season, males have a red color, more intense orange or gold. They are also usually more dominant than females.

In the wild, animals copulate at the beginning of the dry season, while in captivity they behave differently. In this case, it may be helpful to keep animals apart for a while to stimulate them. If a couple is lying next to each other, sometimes there is a vigorous courtship with head movements that is followed by a mating.

If iguanas grow with human contact from an early age, they become tame and you can handle them without leather gloves. Animals that are not used to humans can react aggressively and hit with their tails., scratch with claws and bite. But, with a lot of patience, even the oldest animals can be domesticated by hand.

It is best to feed by hand the green iguanas regularly to get them used to. To feed them, you can also put them on your arm and keep them at eye level while you talk to them.. In this way, you can also show the animals to the veterinarian or move them without problems.

1. Green iguana, American iguana, Common green iguana (English).
2. Iguane vert, Iguane commun (French).
3. Grüner Leguan (German).
4. Iguana-verde, Iguana-comum, Iguano, Sinimbu, Cambaleão, Senembi, Senembu, Tijibu (Portuguese).
5. "Iguana verde", Iguana común (español).

The Cuban iguana (Cyclura nubila) it is found in the rocky coastal areas of Cuba and in the 4.000 islets surrounding the Cuban mainland, including the Isle of Youth, off the southern coast, which has one of the most robust populations. Populations are found on islets along the north and south coasts and in protected areas on the mainland.. [These include the Guanahacabibes Biosphere Reserve in the west., the Desembarco del Granma National Park, Hatibonico Wildlife Refuge, the Punta Negra-Quemados Ecological Reserve and the Delta del Cauto Wildlife Refuge, all in eastern Cuba. [According to Allison Alberts, San Diego Zoo Ecologist, among the many species of fauna at the base, » the Cuban iguana (Cyclura nubila) is one of the largest, certainly the most visible and certainly the most charismatic.". It seems that no one completes a period of service at Guantanamo without meeting these prehistoric-looking giants.". An unusual incident occurred when a detainee at the prison assaulted a guard with a bloodied tail ripped from a Cuban iguana in 2005.

The subspecies, Cyclura nubila caymanensis, it is endemic to the "sister islands" of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The population in Cayman Brac is less than 50 of these animals and Small Alligator keeps 1.500. A feral population of C has been established in Grand Cayman. n. caymanensis.

The Cuban iguana makes its burrow near cacti or thistles, sometimes even within the cactus itself. These thorny plants offer protection and their fruits and flowers offer food to iguanas.. In areas without cacti, lizards make their burrows in dead trees, hollow logs and limestone cracks.

In the middle of the Decade of 1960, a small group of Cuban iguanas was released from a zoo on Magueyes Island, southwest of Puerto Rico, forming an independent feral population. As of the year 2000, there has been talk of eliminating or relocating this iguana population by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This feral population is the source of the 90% of captive Cuban iguanas found in private collections.

As the largest member of its kind, the Cuban iguana (Cyclura nubila) reaches a total length of 150 cm and a head-torso length of 70 cm.. Males are much larger than females and have large pores on their thighs through which they release pheromones. Both sexes have a dorsal crest. The scales of the muzzle are enlarged and bulging, but they do not form "horns". Skin color varies from dark gray to brick red in males, and is olive green with dark bands in females. Feet are blackish.

The Cuban iguana prefers to live in coastal and rocky areas covered with shrubs, holly and opuntia. Animals feed on plant material such as leaves, flowers or fruits. The Cuban iguana is oviparous. Egg clutches consist of 5-11 eggs, that hatch after 77-92 days at an ambient temperature of approximately 30ºC and have a length of 27-32 cm..

State of conservation ⓘ
Vulnerable ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

Since 1999, all major concentrations of iguanas, except one, are partially or fully protected by the Cuban government. Although there is no captive breeding program in Cuba, the National Center for Protected Areas has suggested that it will explore this avenue in the future.. In 1985, the Cuban government issued a commemorative peso with a Cuban iguana on the front of the coin in an attempt to raise awareness about this animal.

The Cuban iguana is well established in public and private collections. Many zoos and private individuals keep them in captive breeding programs, minimizing the demand for wild-caught specimens for the pet trade. [The Cuban iguanas are listed as «vulnerable» in the The IUCN Red list, as well as the predominant Cuban subspecies, while the subspecies of the Cayman Islands is "critically endangered". The total population in Cuba is estimated between 40.000 and 60.000 individuals, and the feral population on Magueyes Island is estimated at more than 1.000..

Indirectly, the status of the Cuban iguana under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. USA. came to American jurisprudence. In the autumn of 2003, Attorney Tom Wilner had to persuade U.S. Supreme Court justices. USA. to accept the case of a dozen Kuwaiti detainees who were isolated at Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), no fees, no hearing and no access to a lawyer. [According to Peter Honigsberg, Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco, Wilner unsuccessfully presented two arguments to the Court to hear his case.; in his third argument he changed tactics by mentioning U.S. law and the Cuban iguana. Wilner argued that "anyone, including a federal official, violating the Endangered Species Act by harming an iguana at Guantanamo, can be fined and prosecuted". But, the government argues that U.S. law does not apply to protect human prisoners found there.". According to Honigsberg, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case because of this argument.

Unlike other Antillean islands where iguanids are found, iguana meat consumption was never widespread in Cuba. Some fishing communities may have practiced it at some point., but for the most part the animal was not consumed by Cubans. According to naturalist Thomas Barbour in 1946, this was based on superstitious beliefs suggesting that iguanas emit a dark fluid reminiscent of the black vomit of yellow fever victims when they are killed..

One of the main threats to iguanas throughout the Caribbean is cats.. In Guantánamo they consume an incalculable number of iguana pups every year.

In 1993, the San Diego Zoo experimentally tested the usefulness of ahead-starting» for newborn Cuban iguanas with funding from the National Science Foundation Conservation and Restoration Biology Program. «Head-starting» is a process by which iguana eggs are born in an incubator and animals are protected and fed during the first 20 months of his life. The purpose is to get animals to a size where they are better able to flee or fight predators.. This technique was originally used to protect newborn sea turtles, to Galapagos land iguanas and to the Ctenosaura bakeri on the island of Útila, but Alberts first used it in a kind of Cyclura with the Cuban iguana. The goal was not only to help the Cuban iguana population., but to test the overall effectiveness of headstarting as a conservation strategy for other critically endangered Cyclura species.

According to Alberts, the strategy was successful when the released iguanas reacted to predators, they sought food and behaved like their free-born congeners.. This strategy has been applied with great success with other species of Cyclura and Ctenosaura endangered in the West Indies and Central America, in particular the Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei), the Blue iguana of Grand Cayman, the Ricord's ground iguana (Cyclura ricordi), the Allen Cays rock iguana (Cyclura cychlura inornata), the Acklins ground iguana (Cyclura rileyi nuchalis) and Anegada rock iguana (Cyclura pinguis).

Cuba exported 122 wild-caught specimens and the Cayman Islands 14. The last export took place in 2009. in the same period, export was recorded 109 captive bred animals around the world. From them, 56 came from the Czech Republic.

Males and females are extremely aggressive towards each other outside of mating season. So, good terrarium structure and escape possibilities are necessary. Animals must have a pool at their disposal. Temperature and humidity should vary throughout the day.

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 height of the animals head-torso length. For each additional animal, a is added 15% to the basic surface.

It is a protected species, even so we have found copies on the internet, supposedly, of "Cuban iguana" At a price of 40 EUR. Dodax

1. Cuban iguana, Cuban rock iguana, Cuban ground iguana (English).
2. Iguane terrestre de Cuba (French).
3. Kubaleguan, Kubanische Felsenleguan, Kubanischer Grundleguan, Kubanischer Leguan (German).
4. Iguana-cubana (Portuguese).
5. "Iguana cubana" (español).

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).