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Lizards of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER​ SAURIA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Reptiles (Class Reptilia)

-​Snakes and Lizards (Order Squamata)

-Lizards (Suborder​ Sauria)

-Iguanas and Chuckwallas (Family Iguanidae)

-Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Genus Ctenosaura)

-​​​Western Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata)


The Western Spiny-tailed Iguana is a species of large lizard native to the arid and desert regions of Western MexicoThey typically have dark gray to brown bodies with yellow or white markings, and their tails are covered in spiny scales. They live in rocky, dry habitats and are omnivorous, eating a variety of fruits, insects, and small reptiles. Juveniles are bright green in colour and darken as the age.

Western Spiny-tailed Iguana - Adult

Ctenosaura pectinata

Description

  • Ctenosaura pectinata is a large spiny-tailed iguana in the family Iguanidae, commonly called the western spiny-tailed iguana. It has a robust body, strong limbs, a long laterally compressed tail lined with enlarged spiny scales, and a prominent row of enlarged scales along the back. Adults are typically grey, brown, or olive, often with darker bands or mottling; males become larger and more heavily built than females.

Range

  • Ctenosaura pectinata is endemic to western and southern Mexico, occurring along the Pacific slope. Its range includes the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

  • It inhabits tropical dry forest, thorn woodland, scrub, rocky slopes, forest edges, agricultural areas, and disturbed habitats, from coastal lowlands into foothill regions. It is primarily terrestrial but climbs readily and often shelters in rock crevices, hollow trees, burrows, and cavities.

Diet

  • Ctenosaura pectinata is omnivorous, with a diet that changes with age. Adults consume substantial amounts of leaves, flowers, fruits, and other plant material, while also taking insects and other small animals. Juveniles tend to consume proportionally more insects and other animal prey.

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