Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I observed this desert spinytail iguana at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in April of 2022.
There are several species of spinytail iguanas (genus Ctenosaura) native to Mexico and Central America that are found in desert scrub and forest. The lizards range from 10 inches to over 39 inches long (some sources claim five feet long). Several species have been introduced into the U.S. in Arizona, Texas, Florida and perhaps other places.
These lizards were introduced into the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum(ASDM) in the 1970s. They are reproducing but apparently have not expanded beyond Museum grounds, at least none have been reported off the grounds. Maybe, if any leave the Museum they quickly fall prey to coyotes, bobcats, and hawks. The adult lizards at ASDM can get up to about two feet long.
I observed this desert spinytail iguana at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in April of 2022.
There are several species of spinytail iguanas (genus Ctenosaura) native to Mexico and Central America that are found in desert scrub and forest. The lizards range from 10 inches to over 39 inches long (some sources claim five feet long). Several species have been introduced into the U.S. in Arizona, Texas, Florida and perhaps other places.
These lizards were introduced into the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum(ASDM) in the 1970s. They are reproducing but apparently have not expanded beyond Museum grounds, at least none have been reported off the grounds. Maybe, if any leave the Museum they quickly fall prey to coyotes, bobcats, and hawks. The adult lizards at ASDM can get up to about two feet long.
