A Species Profile for the Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis)

Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez^1,*, Cassidy Klovanish¹, Paul Evans¹, and Frank J. Mazzotti¹

¹Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 22, Issue 3 (2023): 292–314

Abstract
Ctenosaura similis (Black Spiny-tailed Iguana) is native to Mexico and Central America, where it is a wide-ranging habitat-generalist that is well adapted to human-altered environments. Black Spiny-tailed Iguana is considered one of the larger, heavier iguanid species, identified by its coloration and a series of enlarged whorls of spiny scales on the tail. Despite harvest rates for human consumption and the pet trade, Black Spiny-tailed Iguana is currently considered a species of least concern in their native range. There have been several introductions outside of their native range, many of which have become established due to their generalist nature. In Florida, Black Spiny-tailed Iguana was first introduced in 1979 and has been reported in 24 counties. Early removal efforts of other introduced iguanids such as Ctenosaura pectinata (Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguana) and Iguana iguana (Green Iguana) could serve as case studies to develop and implement eradication and management plans for this species. We provide a comprehensive summary of natural history findings on Black Spiny-tailed Iguana, including management methods and potential ecological impacts as an invasive species in the southeastern United States.

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