Western spiny-tailed iguana

- Ctenosaura pectinata

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).