Cope's arboreal alligator lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cope's arboreal alligator lizard |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Abronia (lizard)
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| Species: |
aurita
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The Cope's arboreal alligator lizard (scientific name: Abronia aurita) is a special kind of lizard. You can only find it in two separate places in Guatemala, a country in Central America. These lizards live high up in the mountains, between 2,000 and 2,600 feet above sea level.
This lizard is one of 28 types of alligator lizards. Most of them are arboreal, which means they live in trees. Cope's arboreal alligator lizards eat both plants and insects, making them omnivores. Sadly, they are considered an endangered species. This is because there aren't many of them left. Their homes are being destroyed, and some are taken from the wild for the pet trade.
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Where They Live
Cope's arboreal alligator lizards, also known as Abronia aurita, live only in a small area of about 400 square kilometers in Guatemala. Their perfect home is on the west and south sides of the Sierra de Xucaneb mountains. They like to live in Oak or Pine forests.
These lizards are arboreal, so they make their homes in trees. They especially like the trunks of large, old trees that are starting to decay. A lot of trees in one area is best for them. This gives them many places to live and plenty of food. They love trees covered with mosses, ferns, or bromeliads. These plants help keep the lizards warm and moist.
What They Look Like
Cope's arboreal alligator lizards are usually about 7.8 to 18.4 cm long from their snout to where their tail begins. Their tail is usually about twice as long as their body!
Their bodies are covered in scales. The scales on their stomach are a bit bumpy, while the rest are flat. These lizards are generally green, but their exact shade can change. This depends on their environment and the season. All alligator lizards have yellow eyes and a long, thin, forked tongue.
You can tell A. aurita apart from other similar lizards. They have a slightly lighter green color on their scales. They also have black spots or patterns around the edges of their scales. It can be tricky to tell male and female lizards apart. But sometimes, the male will have a slightly wider head than the female. Adult males might also have orange color on the back part of the scales on their head.
How They Behave
These lizards usually move slowly. But if they feel scared, they will often drop to the ground. Then, they quickly run to a safe place. They can live in temperatures from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they move much slower when it's colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
In cold weather, these lizards will huddle together. They hide in rotten tree trunks and under moss. This helps them stay warm and save energy. They are most active when the temperature is around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You might see them sunbathing or looking for food in the late morning.
A. aurita can be calm if they are kept in captivity and cared for well. But they might bite if someone handles them roughly or if they don't get fed regularly. If their home is too cold, they will often hide. They try to save energy or stay out of the light.
What They Eat
A. aurita are mostly omnivores. This means they eat both plants and animals. They can live on just insects or just plants for a long time if they need to. When conditions are good, they like to hunt for insects. They enjoy crickets, grasshoppers, and other invertebrates. This includes caterpillars, snails, spiders, and mealworms.
These alligator lizards also eat bromeliads. Bromeliads are plants that grow on trees. They are a very important source of energy when insects are hard to find. So, if you see bromeliads growing, it's a good sign that these lizards might live nearby.
Babies and Life Cycle
Cope's arboreal alligator lizards usually need to be old enough for their second breeding season before they can have babies. These lizards are viviparous. This means they give birth to live babies, instead of laying eggs like many other reptiles.
The male lizard will bite the female's head. This shows his strength and that he is ready to mate. They stay in this position until the female accepts him. This can last for several hours. Each female will have only one group of babies per year. She usually gives birth to between 7 and 14 babies at a time.
The breeding season for these lizards can be from July to November. The babies are born between March and July. The female carries her babies for about 6 to 8 months. During this time, she gains weight. She also develops "chalk sacs" on her cheeks. These sacs store calcium for her and the babies. After the babies are born, the mother does not take care of them. The young lizards can start eating the same things as the adults right away.
Dangers They Face
The biggest danger to Cope's arboreal alligator lizard is the destruction of their home. The IUCN Red List says that their habitat is being damaged and broken up. This happens because of building, farming, and coal mining. These activities require cutting down trees in the areas where the lizards live.
These lizards are also often caught and sold in the pet trade. This takes them away from their natural homes and lowers their numbers in the wild. The areas in Guatemala where they live are not currently protected. This means there are no special efforts to save their habitat or help them recover.
See also
In Spanish: Abronia aurita para niños
