black spiny-tailed iguanas

Paya Bay is a refuge for the Black Spiny-Tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaura oedirhina). These ancient, rugged lizards can be spotted on the rocky shoreline they have adapted to inhabit. A male and female of the species can be appreciated in these photos.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

saving the spiny-tailed

Paya Bay Resort was recently awarded this certificate recognizing support we have extended to these noble, distinguished institutions (Florida Atlantic University, International Iguana Foundation, and Iguana Specialist Group) in the ongoing effort to save Roatan's unique Spiny-tailed Iguana from extinction.

An adult Spiny-tailed Iguana suns on a rock ledge near Bliss Beach. As the certificate states, there are less than 5,000 of these iguanas left and the population is decreasing. In Roatan, these iguanas are also known by their local nickname, "Black Iguanas."

To continue creating awareness of this important cause, we named our nearly-completed beach bar The Black Iguana. The bar features an impressively-sized replica of one of these beautiful reptiles. We also plan to have an information display about the species (and the efforts to protect it) in the bar.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

peaceful, ancient eyes

This awesome, National Geographic-quality photo of a Roatan Spiny Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina) was taken by special guests Kay and Dennis of San Antonio, TX. This threatened species is endemic to Roatan. Paya Bay's property is a refuge for these one-of-a-kind, primeval animals.

Like looking into the eye of Tyrannosaurus rex.

spiny-tailed

Endemic to Roatan, the Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina) has been classified as endangered as a result of habitat loss, hunting, and human encroachment. There is a thriving population of these fascinating mid-sized lizards at Paya Bay.

This healthy-looking, breeding-age female seemed very at ease as I photographed her this past weekend. I've noticed that this rare and unique species of iguana seems to have virtually no DNA-encoded fear of humans. This makes sense if you consider that they -- very likely -- evolved on an island devoid of human presence for (I'm guessing) thousands (perhaps even tens or hundreds of thousands) of years. Ironically, this "evolutionary innocence" makes them easy prey for the modern, hungry, protein-hunting man (and his super-efficient sidekick: the feral domestic cat).

It would be unconscionable for aware, educated, 21st century people to allow these animals to have the fate of the Dodo bird. In an effort to help protect them, I've designated an area of the property where these iguanas are especially plentiful as the Tropical Garden Reserve. As long as it's my decision to make, this multi-acre area of the property will remain deliberately undisturbed so that these precious animals may have a safe place to call their home.

Learn more about the effort to save the Roatan Spiny-tailed Iguana.

number 34

Now identifiable by its label (done with special non-toxic paint), this juvenile spiny-tailed iguana will be tracked to help determine how many of these critically endangered iguanas survive into adulthood.

To learn more about Stesha Pasachnik's research, click here.

doing research

Stesha Pasachnik and her assistant carefully capture spiny-tailed iguanas on the Paya Trail to tag them. Ms. Pasachnik is doing research on this critically endangered species of iguanas that is unique to Roatan. Stesha has identified Paya as one of the places on the island with a relatively large population of spiny-taileds. Paya Bay Resort is collaborating with her research.

 An adult spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina). Note how their coloration may have evolved to perfectly blend with the gray and flint rocks of Roatan's rocky shores.

roatan's spiny-tailed iguana

A juvenile Spiny-Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina) warms ups on a rock on Paya Bay property. Stesha Pasachnik with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville is currently in Roatan studying this endangered species; creating awareness about how special it is; and finding ways to protect it. Paya Bay Resort is cooperating with Ms. Pasachnik efforts. Our large property with its massive sections of rocky terrain is a natural refuge for these unique creatures. We want to understand everything we could possibly do to help protect it.

One of Ms. Pasachnik first steps is putting out posters like the one above to help create awareness.

I had previously written about these critically endangered animals here, here, and here.