Black spiny-tailed iguanas

Today we went to the Tulum ruins and there were so many lizards it seemed like there was a zoo of lizards and they all escaped. We would see one then we looked closer and would see six more on the roof and on the base of the building. They were in the sun and on the rocks, and one was eating grass. We know why there were so many lizards at the ruins—it’s because the Black Spiny-Tailed Iguanas like rocky places with trees to climb.

When we got home we did some research. I learned that black spiny-tailed iguanas:

• Are the fastest lizards and can run up to 21.7 mph
• Live in Mexico and Central America
• Grow up to 5 feet 
• Have three eyes
• Are traditionally eaten in west Mexico
• Are herbivores and will eat smaller animals and insects and eggs 
• Male chases female until he catches her and then they mate
• Female iguanas lay eggs in the sand and they can lay up to 30 eggs

I like black spiny-tailed iguanas and it was fun to see them at the ruins.

Resources:

• http://www.skyenimals.com/animal_index.cgi?animal=iguana/iguana_Black_Spiny-tailed_Iguana
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguana_meat
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ctenosaura_similis
• http://www.wyattsailing.com/Mexican%20Iguanas.htm