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West
Coast Iguana - Practical information from 13 years of captive research
on the genus Ctenosaura.
Spiny-tailed Iguanas, Ctenosaura sp., are an
assemblage of poorly understood lizards from
Mexico and Central America. Years ago, the shroud of mystery blanketing
nearly every detail of their natural history captured my interest. The
genus ranges from central Baja and central mainland Mexico south to Panama.
As with many little known groups of animals, their taxonomy has experienced
much review. New species have been described as recently as 2001 (for
example, Ctenosaura oaxacana).
 Conservation
Status
Most species of Ctenosaura are in peril. Contributing factors
include habitat destruction and/or modification, and hunting for food
and sport. Some species from Central America are also collected for the
pet trade by the hundreds or thousands, compounding population declines.
A very few species are particularly hardy and even thrive in areas of
extreme habitat modification… if not heavily collected for consumption
by humans. The Central American Spiny-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura similis
is actually farmed with Iguana iguana (Green Iguana) and Basiliscus
plumifrons (Plumed Basilisk). The farming of this species provides
a monetary incentive in economically depressed countries and produces
minimal environmental impact. It also provides a ready source of specimens
for those who wish to keep Ctenosaura.
Human Interactions
A few Spiny-tailed populations serve as tourist attractions in Mexico
and Central America. I’ve enjoyed stories of "alligator sized”
iguanas from friends and acquaintances who have visited Mexico or Central
America and know of my interests. Other species are not as adaptable.
Some populations have disappeared through human impositions.
Availability
Although species from Mexico are no longer imported into the United States,
three species, Ctenosaura palearis (the Paleate Spiny-tailed
Iguana), Ctenosaura quinquecarinata (the Club-tail Iguana), and
Ctenosaura similis (the Central American Spiny-tailed Iguana),
are commonly imported
from Central America. Because there is so little information about them
in books or on the web, most imports perish through incorrect care. Nearly
nothing is available in the literature regarding rare species.
Statement of Intent
I have worked with Ctenosaura in captivity for 25 years and have
actively researched them for the past 13 years. Because information about
breeding, diet, and social behavior in these lizards is scant, West Coast
Iguana was founded to study Ctenosaura and develop management
protocol. Hopefully, the techniques I have developed and will disseminate
through this medium can be utilized to manage the threatened and endangered
species.
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