In the first of a new series about native island wildlife in Cozumel, we take a look at nature’s friendly miniature dragons: iguanas.

Iguanas are common in Cozumel, from backyards downtown to the surf-washed rocks on the island’s east coast.

Downtown, keep an eye out for them sunbathing on the tops of walls. Outside built-up areas you’re more likely to spot them soaking up the sun on the branches of trees.

There are many types of iguanas, they are a type of lizard found natively across Central and South America. The most common species found in Cozumel is the Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis).

If you see iguanas while in Cozumel you may notice that they sometimes bob their heads up and down.

Different numbers and frequencies of head-bobs have different meanings to other iguanas.

They use these “head-bobs” to communicate, anything from a simple “hello” to a flirtatious comment to court a potential mate.