Skip to main content
Close

Central American Ameiva

Ameiva festiva

Photo by pamsai
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

9.27, -83.81

Field Notes

Description:

The Middle American Ameiva, Central American Whiptail, or Tiger Ameiva (Ameiva festiva) is a species of whiptail lizard found from southern Mexico to Colombia.

Brown coloured with darker browns making a zig-zag pattern down the back. Similar species, Ameiva quadilineata. Lives in open habitats. Juveniles have metallic-blue tails.

It is extremely fast when a lizard body temperature has risen through the sun, so often venture out of the forest to warm.

It is distributed in Costa Rica and both slopes reaching up to 800 m. altitude, except in the lowlands of the northwest region.

Habitat:

It is an inhabitant of moist and wet forests of the lowlands. From fully terrestrial habits, foraging on the forest floor actively looking for invertebrates. Is abundant throughout its range. Also you can find on roads and highways, raising body temperature with exposure to sunlight. Due to its medium size can spend a few minutes without reheating, allowing you to enter dark areas or without direct solar illumination, within the forest to forage.

Species ID Suggestions

Central American Ameiva

Ameiva festiva

Comments (1)

thanks bayucca. i see you know your lizards also, or is that only because they come from Ticoland!?

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon