Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura similis, commonly known as the black iguana or Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana, is a lizard native to Mexico, Central America, and some Colombian islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It has been introduced to the United States in the state of Florida. It is the largest species in the genus Ctenosaura. They are typically found in areas such as grasslands and forests.

The name "black spiny-tailed iguana" refers to the species' unique black, keeled scales on its long tail. Males can reach lengths of up to 1.3 meters, while females can only reach lengths of 0.8 to 1 meters. They have a long spine crest that runs down the middle of their back. Despite the fact that color varies greatly among members of the same population, adults often have a yellowish gray or tan background color with 4–12 distinct dark dorsal bands that almost reach the ventral scales. During the breeding season, males also acquire an orange hue around their heads and throat, with blue and peach accents on their jowls.