Mini Monsters with an Incredible Digestive System

What looks like a miniature pre-historic monster (1 to 2 kilos), is listed by Guinness Book of World Records as the world´s fastest lizard. It will eat almost anything from fruit to juveniles of its own species, and is commonly found in the Costa Ballena.  These monsters are also called Ctenosaura similis, or the Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana.

In recent years the ctenosaurs have become more abundant around Hacienda Barú Lodge. They are getting so accustomed to seeing people that they no longer run away when approached. This doesn't mean that they're friendly. It means only that they have lost their fear of humans, and will still deliver a nasty bite if you try to touch one. A friend made that mistake and the black iguana took a chunk out of his hand along with the piece of cookie being offered.

Usually, however, they aren't aggressive to people. Several black spiny-tailed iguanas hang out near the restaurant, and the staff sometimes have to shoo them out with a broom. One managed to climb onto a table where a guest was having breakfast. Before anyone could react, it ate the gentleman's scrambled eggs and made a speedy exit.