CR

Oaxaca Spiny-tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura oaxacana

Declining

Overview

Ctenosaura oaxacana, commonly known as the Oaxacan spiny-tailed iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. It is endemic to Mexico.

Ctenosaura oaxacana faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted range in Oaxaca, Mexico. The species is heavily exploited for local consumption and traditional medicine, with adults being actively hunted by local communities. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the dry forest ecosystems this iguana depends upon for thermoregulation and food resources.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered iguana inhabits dry tropical forests and scrublands in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico, preferring areas with rocky outcrops and thorny vegetation. The species requires specific microhabitats with adequate basking sites and crevices for shelter, typically found at elevations between 1,500-2,000 meters.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in IGUANIDAE

EN

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Brachylophus fasciatus

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VU

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EN

Gau Banded Iguana

Brachylophus gau

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Jamaican Rock IguanaCR

Jamaican Rock Iguana

Cyclura collei

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Oaxaca Spiny-tailed Iguana classified as Critically Endangered?
Oaxaca Spiny-tailed Iguana is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Ctenosaura oaxacana faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted range in Oaxaca, Mexico. The species is heavily exploited for local consumption and traditional medicine, with adults being actively hunted by local communities. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the dry forest ecosystems this iguana depends upon for thermoregulation and food resources.
Where does Oaxaca Spiny-tailed Iguana live?
Oaxaca Spiny-tailed Iguana occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Oaxaca Spiny-tailed Iguana?
The main threats to Oaxaca Spiny-tailed Iguana are 5.3, 7.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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