The black spiny-tailed iguana is a fast, rugged reptile native to Central America, often found basking on rocks, ruins, or tree limbs. Named for the row of sharp, spiky scales along its tail, it uses this feature for defense against predators. Despite its tough appearance, it’s an omnivore, feeding on everything from leaves and fruit to insects and small animals. It’s also one of the fastest lizards in the world, capable of sprinting at impressive speeds to escape danger. In some regions, it’s become highly adaptable, even thriving in urban environments. This one was hanging out around the pool at the resort we stayed at in Belize a few years back. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.
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The black spiny-tailed iguana is a fast, rugged reptile native to Central America, often found basking on rocks, ruins, or tree limbs. Named for the row of sharp, spiky scales along its tail, it uses this feature for defense against predators. Despite its tough appearance, it’s an omnivore, feeding on everything from leaves and fruit to insects and small animals. It’s also one of the fastest lizards in the world, capable of sprinting at impressive speeds to escape danger. In some regions, it’s become highly adaptable, even thriving in urban environments. This one was hanging out around the pool at the resort we stayed at in Belize a few years back. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.