Species and Range C. acanthura - mainly along Atlantic side of Mexico. More than one row of scales between tail whorls. They are found around ruins, stone walls, rocky open slopes and branches of large trees along the open borders of the forests.
Juveniles are mostly green, with their adult coloring coming on during their first year.
Most have black mottling on their back. The belly is usually an off- or dirty white. The tail is ringed with specialized spiny scales. While the C. similis has a tall dorsal crest, the other species tend towards very short crests. Found in wild in groups usually dominated by a major male.