Ameiva ameiva, also known as the giant ameiva, green ameiva, South American ground lizard, or Amazon racerunner, is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae found in Central America, South America, and some Caribbean Islands.
Geographic range
It is widespread in
Central America and
South America, including:
Panama,
Brazil,
Colombia,
Suriname,
French Guiana,
Guyana,
Venezuela,
Bolivia,
Ecuador,
Peru,
Argentina, and
Paraguay. It is also found on the
Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago,
Grenada, the
Grenadines,
Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis, Margarita, Swan Island, and Isla de la Providencia.
[ Ameiva ameiva, Reptile-database.reptarium.cz] It was also once present on Saint Vincent but has since been
Local extinction.
Description
Ameiva ameiva has a streamlined body, pointed head, slightly forked tongue, and muscular hind legs. They grow to approximately . Both sexes have random black specks and
Mottle along the sides. Females usually have much less green than males and a more dusty green color. Males have vibrant green coloration and more bold mottling. Males also have more expanded jowls. They are popular pets because of the male's striking green coloration.
Habitat
They live on the
forest floor, often sheltering underneath logs and in
leaf litter. Captive individuals have been observed making tunnels spanning out from under a log or rock when given enough soil.
Diet
Its diet consists of mainly
insects (such as
,
butterflies,
,
,
,
, and insect larvae),
frogs, other
(such as
,
Gonatodes,
, and even conspecifics),
,
spiders,
, and
plant matter.
Reproduction
The female lays several clutches of eggs from March to December.
Invasive species
This species has been introduced into the United States with thriving populations in south
Florida.
Parasites
This species is infected by a number of
protist parasites including:
-
Acroeimeria pintoi
-
Choleoeimeria carinii
-
Plasmodium attenuatum
-
P. carmelinoi
-
P. cnemidophori
-
P. diminutivum
-
P. minasense
-
P. pifanoi
-
P. telfordi
-
Sarcocystis ameivamastigodryasi
Bibliography
External links
