AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN ENInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Endangered — faces a very high risk of extinction if threats are not urgently addressed.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Ctenosaura quinquecarinata
Five-keeled Spiny-tailed Iguana
Gray, 1842
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A robust iguanid whose most distinctive feature is its tail, covered by rings of strongly spiny scales arranged in five longitudinal rows or keels. Its body has a grayish or light brown coloration, often with dark transverse bands that allow it to effectively blend into the rocky environment and dry tree trunks.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Reptilia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Squamata
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Iguanidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Ctenosaura
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Gray, 1842
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
--
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits mainly dry tropical forests, rocky slopes, and thorny scrub zones. It is a species dependent on natural refuges such as rock crevices or hollow logs to protect itself from predators and extreme heat.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Diurnal and highly thermophilic. They are frequently observed in small groups on rocky outcrops, showing signaling behaviors with the head and fast movements to defend their territory or access the best basking spots.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
They exhibit a rudimentary social structure centered on a dominant male that guards an area. Females and juveniles usually coexist on the outskirts of the male's territory, establishing clear hierarchies.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Active forager. Uses its visual acuity to locate fresh vegetation and, occasionally, can ingest small arthropods by accident or necessity during extreme droughts.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Primary / Herbivore. It feeds on leaves, flowers, fruits, and tender shoots of local plants. Its digestive system is adapted to process fibrous plant material, which allows them to colonize environments where other species cannot survive.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Oviparous species. The female deposits a clutch of eggs in underground burrows. Egg development is dependent on soil temperature and humidity during the nesting season.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
20.0 - 30.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
150 g - 400 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.4 - 10
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
2 - 3 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
2 - 3
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males8 - 12 Years
Females8 - 12 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Adult males are larger, possess a more pronounced dorsal crest and a noticeably more robust head with developed jowls. The coloration is usually darker and more defined.
Females Multi-lang
Females are significantly smaller, with an almost absent or reduced dorsal crest. Their coloration is more uniform and lighter, allowing them to pass unnoticed while tending to the nesting territory.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Defensive Armor: Its spiny tail is not just aesthetic; when threatened, the garrobo retreats into a rock crevice and blocks the entrance with its tail, using the spines to anchor itself and make it difficult for predators to pull it out.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Habitat Destruction: The conversion of dry forests into grazing areas and poaching for human consumption have drastically reduced their populations in the central Pacific.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Rocky Crypticism: They spend most of the day basking on hot rocks, but their ability to change color slightly allows them to disappear from the sight of an unwary observer.