AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR GARROBO AMIGOS

                                

I admit to having more than a small fascination with our local garrobos. I find them immensely fascinating and I look forward to introducing you to this interesting species. So if you are ready, here we go.

I visit them each afternoon while taking a "reading for pleasure break" at what we call the grotto.  The local garrobos come to visit expecting some vegetarian leftovers which I bring them as treats. 

We have three garrobos which is I assume are related.  The old man I have named Stumpy, the younger male I have named Stanley, and the female I have named Stella.  Our garrobos seem to recognize me by sight or maybe it's by smell. 

                             

We have nicknamed Stumpy our oldest Garrobo "the Dinosaur" because he looks like he comes from prehistoric times. 

Spiny-tailed iguanas (Ctenosaura) commonly known as the black spiny-tailed iguana, black iguana, black ctenosaur, and garrobo is a lizard native to Mexico. This genus is part of the large lizard family native to both Mexico and Central America.

Locals often point to this reptile as an"iguana" and another as a "garrobo" with complete assurance although the untrained eye might see no obvious difference. In fact they are distinct species although both are called iguana in English and both belong to the Iguanidae (Iguana) family. 

Garrobos, also named Spiny Iguana or Black Iguana, have several lines of spines on their tail while Iguanas do not. Male Iguanas turn red-orange color when they are going to mate and Garrobos become light turquoise. Garrobos are more common probably because they are omnivores which is defined as an animal who has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter.

                

 

Every time I look at this old photo I feel as though our old "Garrobo Stumpy" is laughing at me! Our guess is that Stumpy is between 20 and 25 years of age and he still has a sense of humor.  

                            

And last, but not least in my humble opinion, garrobos also qualify as the "FASTEST LIZARD ON EARTH." According to the Guinness Book of World Records Garrobos are the world's fastest lizard with a maximal sprint speed of 34.6 km/hour or 21.49 miles/hour. That rates a big wow in my book.  

And Stumpy our "dinosaur" simply loves star fruits, but he is definitely not the neatest of eaters. 

Male garrobos are capable of growing up to 4 feet 3 inches in length and the females are slightly shorter at 3 feet 3 inches in length.  The males have a crest of long spines which extends down the center of the back. 

             

Stumpy is a voracious vegetarian and I feel guilty if I don't bring him a daily treat. 

Although coloration varies among individuals of the same species adults usually have a whitish, gray, or tan ground color with a series of 4 to 12 well-defined dark dorsal bands that extend nearly to the ventral scales. Males also develop an orange color around the head and throat during breeding season with highlights of blue and peach on their jowls.

 The above image is of our female Garrobo with her magnificent tail and I have named her Stella. I sense that Stella knows she is beautiful and not afraid to strut her stuff.

                              

Black spiny-tailed iguanas are excellent climbers and prefer a rocky habitat with plenty of crevices to hide in, rocks to bask on, and nearby trees to climb. They are diurnal and fast moving employing their speed to escape predators, but will lash with their tails and bite if cornered.  

                 

A photo of Stumpy and Stanley basking in the sun and soaking up the warmth of the rocks.  

Garrobos are primarily herbivorous eating flowers, leaves, stems, and fruit, but they will opportunistically eat smaller animals, eggs and arthropods. Juveniles tend to be insectivores becoming more herbivorous as they get older. 

                          

Stumpy is attracted to a vegetarian diet and literally comes running when I take down his afternoon treat.

                                                            

I have found our garrobos are especially fond of starfruit (aka carambola) which they coming running for when they are in season here.  They also like my other offerings including red tomatoes, cucumbers, purple grapes, and any other leftover produce I might have in the refrigerator. 

Stella soaking up some afternoon rays and which she particular likes. 

Mating generally occurs in the spring. Males show dominance and interest by head bobbing and eventually the male will chase the female until he can catch her and subdue her. Within eight to ten weeks the female dig a nest and lay clutches of up to 30 eggs. 

This photo of Stella our female garrobo just confirms how much they love our leftover fruits and veggies. Isn't Stella's tail simply awesome! 

                                       

The Mexican Spiny-tailed iguana or Garrobo is a social lizard which has adapted to living in groups as opposed to other species of Ctenosaura which tend to be solitary animals. 

Garrobos are excellent climbers and prefer a rocky habitat with plenty of crevices to hide in, rocks to bask on, and nearby trees to climb. They are diurnal and fast moving employing their speed to escape predators but will lash with their tails and bite if cornered.  

                                   

Stanley soaking up the afternoon rays in Puerto Vallarta and life is good especially on a warm sunny day.

Mating occurs in the spring. Males show dominance and interest by head bobbing eventually chasing the female until he can catch her and subdue her. Within eight to ten weeks, the female will dig a nest and lay clutches of up to 50 eggs in a burrow of loose soil. These eggs hatch in 90 days with the bright green babies digging their way out of the sand.

                   

Stumpy and Stanley having some fun and by Stumpy's expression he is really enjoying whatever they are up to.   

When born they are bright green and only change color to the adult gray after about a year. Youngsters eat meat, but when they reach adulthood feed mainly on leaves, fruits, and flowers although adults have been known to enjoy crabs, birds, small mammals and eggs, should the opportunity arise.

I sincerely hope you have enjoyed my introduction to our local garrobo amigos. I know I have enjoyed sharing them with you and in the process learning more about this fascinating species.  Until next time, thank you for joining me and wishing you well and safe travels.   Saludos,  Laura and "El Gordo" Stumpy

The following link will take you to my album for this posting.  I hope you enjoy.

LINK TO GARROBO ALBUM

A recent photo me an my old "Dinosaur" Stumpy for his afternoon treat.  

PS I couldn't resist some recent photos of another reptile species which I recently had the opportunity of catching on film.  My husband tells me I missed my calling of being a herpetologist.  I responded that I think I will stick with birds!  

                    

This lizard doesn't walk on water, it runs. Thanks to special fringes on its toes a  Brown Basilisk lizard can escape a predator by running on the water's surface earning it the nickname "Jesus Christ lizard."

                   

This is a photograph of a juvenile Brown Basilisk before he has turned a darker color like the above photograph illustrates. 

For those who might have missed my blog posting on the birds of Mexico here is the link and thank you for joining me.  Laura la Loca 

                      OUR PACIFIC COAST BIRD AMIGOS IN MEXICO