Yucatán Spiny-tailed Iguana

Yucatán Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura defensor) Is the smallest in size in the genus Ctenosaura, but also the most colorful, with very variable color combinations: normally, the head and base of the tail have a gray color that during firing up times changes in A very light blue, the front back has streaks more or less uniform (sometimes stained spots) of a black pitch.

The back back has a red color that goes from red to rust, the females also have very accentuated coloration but have less developed head and the black dorsal frets normally do not reach the ventral zone as in the male, the tail has the classic arrangement of this Genus.

• Scientific name : Ctenosaura defensor
• Distribution : South Mexico
• Average Size : 0.2 m (0.65 ft)
• Life Span : 10 years or more
• Difficulty : Advanced
• Housing

  Since Ctenosaura defensor are active lizards, they require spacious cages. I recommend 0.1 X 0.5 x 0.5 meters (3.2 x 1.6 x 1.6 feet) as a minimum size for a pair . Adult males are territorial, so only one male per cage is recommended. Some babies may be raised in a small group but close attention should be paid to ensure that all are eating well and growing at close to the same rate.
  The minimum size we would recommend for 1 or 3 hatchlings would be 0.8 x 0. 3 x 0.3 meters (2.6 x 1 x 1 feet). The furnishing must be made with trunks of stones that grow in height and the substrate with sand of river.

  Hide box

  They are very timid animals so they need to get used to human presence so I recommend no more than a hiding place and above all this must be close to the heat source (spot) so that even if it chooses to hide for a long time, it would still be active to feed. I use a hiding box with river sand covered by a stone placed under the spot. The sand must remain damp in this hiding place. Ctenosaura defensor must have the flatness of being under the spot and if afraid it should be able to hide quickly in the hiding box while remaining at a high temperature.

  Substrate

  I always used sand of river as a substrate and have had no problems with it. I like to keep it simple and use only sand of river,. This substrate is very easy to keep it clean. Although, I keep baby defensor on a paper substrate for their first year of life as babies are more easy to find food and water remain clean.

  Lighting – Heating

  As Ctenosaura defensor are diurnal , lighting is extremely important. I put the lights on electric timers, and give them about 10 to 12 hours of light each day. I use Solar Raptor 50 watt as the heat light. This lamp should be placed above the basking rock at the highest point of the rock when possible.
  Basking temperatures in the cages range from 40 to 55 ºC (105-130 ºF) on the basking surface. The cooler end of the cage should be anywhere 29-31 ºC (84-88 ºF). I use Solar raptor also as UVB light. (all in 1 lamp)

  Water

  The water they need is received from eating the fresh vegetables. Gravid females and females that recently laid eggs and babies have a higher need for additional water so get a dish in a cage . It is important to ensure that the cage substrate does not become wet or damp for extended periods of time.

  Humidity

  Relatively high (40-80%) ideally, though they will tolerate higher humidity at times. An higher humidity hiding place is needed (with wet sand) near the basking place. The rest of the cage should remain dry. During the summer season I spray 3 times a week all the terrarium to stimulate reproductive activity.