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The Spiny Tree Lizard, Plica plica (Linnaeus, 1758). Photographed in Trinidad's Arima Valley. It has an Amazonian distribution, being found east of the Andes on the continent and on Trinidad (a continental island). It may reach a body length of 140 mm, and have a tail twice that long. The hind legs are also long, and may be 80% of the body length. Each scale has a sharp spine and sharp keel. On Trinidad this is a forest and forest edge species. It uses vertical surfaces such as tree trunks, rock faces, and building walls. Hatchlings tend to be more terrestrial than adults. The Spiny Tree Lizard often sits with a head down posture waiting for food. While it may eat almost any arthropod that comes its way it tends to eat more ants. Its coloration and pattern are cryptic (see photo of a juvenile on a lichen covered tree trunk), and it seems to have some ability to change its color. |
| The Neotropical Ground Lizards range from the West Indies southward into South America, and are represented in the Galapagos Islands. They range is size from 40 to 150 mm in body length. They uses deserts, grasslands, dry forests, and rain forests. Most species are insectivorous, with some being specialists on ants. Others are herbivorous feeding of fruits and flowers. Some Liolaemus may reach the highest altitude (5000 m in the Andes) and the lowest latitude (54 S.) of any reptile. (But Liolaemus relationships are in question and it may not belong to this family.) Both oviparity (egg laying) and viviparity (live birth) occur in this family. While many species are ground dwellers some live on rock outcrops, tree trunks, use caves, and sand dunes. |