Photo of the Day: Gasparilla Island State Park


A Black Spiney-tailed Iguana basks in the morning sun atop a pristine sand dune on the barrier island of Boca Grande, a popular destination off the coast of Southwest Florida. This particular species of lizard, often characterized by its distinctive, heavily-keeled tail scales, is unfortunately not native to the region. It is classified as an invasive species within the delicate coastal ecosystem. 

The presence of the Spiney-tailed Iguana is a significant concern for local conservationists and environmental managers. As an invasive species, it competes directly with native wildlife for resources, including food and prime basking and nesting locations. Furthermore, these lizards can reach considerable sizes and have a broad, omnivorous diet, which includes plants, fruits, insects, and, critically, the eggs and hatchlings of various native ground-nesting birds and reptiles, including threatened species like the Gopher Tortoise and various sea turtle species that nest on these same dunes. Their introduction and subsequent proliferation threaten to destabilize the ecological balance of Boca Grande and other nearby coastal habitats. Control and management efforts are ongoing to mitigate the species' impact and protect the native fauna. 

 Taken: March 5, 2006 at Gasparilla Island State Park (Boca Grande, FL)
Location: Gasparilla Island State Pk, 880 Belcher Rd, Boca Grande, FL 33921, USA

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