Black+Spiny+Tailed+Iguana+-+Deanna

The scientific name of the Black Spiny Tailed Iguana is Ctenosaura Similis 1. Ctenosaura Similis originated from Central America, most native to Panama and Nicaragua. The Black Spiny Tailed Iguana has distinctive scales on their long tails. the males are 1.5 meters (4ft 11) and the females are slighty shorter at one meter (3ft 3) 1. They also have four to twelve dark dorsal bands around their ventral scales. Males also develop an orange color and blue jowls during mating season. media type="youtube" key="jirAFzqI-QA" height="344" width="425" The Black Spiny Tailed Iguana gets its energy from the sun. They are great baskers and diggers. They are primarily herbivores. They eat plant leaves, flowers and fruit, but ocassionally eat small animals, eggs, and birds 1. Juveniles are usually insectivores until they reach adulthood. Black Spiny Tailed Iguanas reproduce fairly quickly. Mating occurs in spring and within 8 to 10 weeks the female will dig a nest and lay clutches of up to thirty eggs. These eggs hatch within 90 days 3.
 * [[image:black_spinyyy.jpg width="150" height="215" align="left"]][[image:black_spiny_tailed_iguana.jpg width="175" height="159"]]General Information**
 * Diet and Behavior**

This lizard originates from Central America-specific to Panama and Nicaragua 2. They are also commonly found in Costa Rica and Honduras. This species has been introduced to South Florida and reproduces in fereal populations 2.
 * Distribution**

There really are not any positive effects that the Black Spiny Tailed Iguana has on the ecosystem but there are definitely negative effects. They are generalists which means they eat anything...and they do. They eat already endangered species,such as certain birds, therefore bringing them closer and closer to becoming extinct 3. There is no hybridization with any other species even though they live in close proximity with the Green Iguana.
 * Impact**

There are no impacts on humans. Actually humans and these lizards can live in close quarters together without any problem.
 * Human Impact**

Control measures are being taken because of Black Spiny Tailed Iguanas endangering other species in South Florida. People are shooting the Black Spiny Tailed Iguanas and capturing them to put them up as pets 2.Hunting the Black Spiny Tailed Iguana can be costly because of the night patroling that is done and the housing and feeding of them as pets.
 * Control Measures**


 * Works Cited**

"Ctenosaura Similis" Wikipedia. Wikipedia, Dec-Jan. 2009. Web. 13 Dec. 2009

Keysko, Kenneth, "Ctenosuara Similis: Black Spiny Tailed Iguana." naherpetology. N.P., Oct-Nov. 2009. Web 13. Dec 2009 

Reptile Channel. N.P., Dec-Jan. 2009. Web 13. Dec 2009 []