Yucatán Spiny-tailed Iguana
Cachryx defensor
Silhouette: SeismicShrimp · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyIguanidae (Iguanas and Chuckwallas)
- GenusCachryx (Spiny-Tailed Iguanas)
- SpeciesCachryx defensor (Yucatán Spiny-tailed Iguana)
About the Yucatán Spiny-tailed Iguana
The Yucatán spiny-tailed iguana (Cachryx defensor) is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. It is endemic to northern Yucatán, Mexico. Its natural habitat is tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
A foot-long specimen was found scurrying across a loading dock on July 29, 2010, at Ford Motor Co.'s Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The creature was a stowaway in parts crates shipped from the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico. The creature was moved to an enclosure at the Detroit Zoo, which it will share with a female black iguana. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Yucatán Spiny-tailed Iguana in Celestún Biosphere Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Celestún Biosphere Reserve
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celestún Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
More parks will be added in future updates.