Motagua spiny-tailed iguana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ctenosaura palearis |
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| Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana | |
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Ctenosaura
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| Species: |
palearis
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The Ctenosaura palearis, often called the Motagua spiny-tailed iguana, is a special kind of iguana. It is also known as the Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana. This reptile lives only in one place: the Motagua Valley in Guatemala. When an animal or plant lives only in one specific area, it is called endemic.
Why This Iguana Needs Our Help
This amazing iguana faces some big problems. Its home, called its habitat, is shrinking. People are changing the land where it lives. This is known as habitat loss. Also, some people try to catch these iguanas illegally to sell them.
In the past, some local people used to eat these iguanas. Their eggs are also a food source for another rare animal. This is the Motagua Valley beaded lizard. Because of this, the future of these two species might be connected.
To help protect it, the Motagua spiny-tailed iguana is listed in CITES Appendix II. This means that trading this species is carefully watched and controlled. This helps to stop illegal sales.
What Does It Eat?
The Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana is mostly a plant-eater. It enjoys munching on leaves. It also likes the fruits from a type of cactus called Stenocereus pruinosus. Sometimes, it will also eat insects. Its insect snacks include crickets, beetles, ants, and wasps.
Where Does It Live?
The Motagua spiny-tailed iguana lives in areas with specific plants. You can often find it where the cactus Stenocereus pruinosus grows. Other plants common in its home include Albizzia idiopoda, Ximena americana, and Acacia deamii.
This iguana is very important to its environment. It is considered a keystone species. This means it plays a big role in keeping its ecosystem healthy. For example, it helps to spread the seeds of the S. pruinosus cactus. This helps new cactus plants grow.
See also
In Spanish: Ctenosaura palearis para niños
