In yesterday’s The Daily we mentioned that November is a month of transition between rainy season and dry season. Part of this is that we begin to have more sunny days. And although there are days like today, with a bright morning and a little rain earlier, in general the days are starting to heat up, and with that we begin to see our friends the garrobos.
These reptiles always catch the attention of tourists and visitors who have never seen one before. They’re surprisingly fast and climb trees easily, but you’ll most often find them basking in the sun on a roof, a planter, in Plaza Mercado, or anywhere the sun hits.
Actually, the reason why they seem to be sunbathing is not because they want to get a perfect tan, but because they are cold-blooded reptiles. By basking in the sun, they raise their body temperature, which in turn helps with digestion, mobility, and metabolism.
The garrobo, or black spiny-tailed iguana, is one of the fastest lizards in the world. They can sprint at about 34.6 km/h, which is a little slower than Usain Bolt’s record speed of 44.72 km/h, but definitely faster than the average human, who runs between 20 and 24 km/h.
These small reptiles are native to Central America, including Costa Rica. They prefer hot and dry environments and are comfortable around humans, which is why it’s so easy to spot them in touristic and coastal destinations.
As they begin to appear more frequently these days, it’s a good sign that the dry season is starting to settle in. And for us, the non-reptiles in Town, means the holidays are just around the corner, more sun, more fun, and just good times to come.