Guatemalan beaded lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guatemalan beaded lizard |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Heloderma
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| Species: |
charlesbogerti
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The Guatemalan beaded lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti), also known as the Motagua Valley beaded lizard, is a very rare and endangered type of beaded lizard. This lizard is venomous, meaning it can produce venom, and belongs to the family called Helodermatidae.
This special lizard lives only in the dry forests of the Motagua Valley in southeastern Guatemala. When an animal is found only in one specific area, it is called endemic to that place. The Guatemalan beaded lizard is the only beaded lizard species that lives completely separate from other beaded lizard groups. Its closest relatives are about 250 kilometers (155 miles) away!
It is the rarest and most endangered beaded lizard. Scientists believe there are fewer than 200 of these lizards left in the wild. This makes it one of the most endangered lizards on Earth. In 2007, its protection status was increased by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to Appendix I. This means it has the highest level of protection to prevent its trade and ensure its survival.
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About the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard
The Guatemalan beaded lizard is part of the Helodermatidae family. This family is a group of reptiles that have special glands to make and release toxins, or venom. This particular species looks different from other Heloderma lizards because of its unique colors and smaller size. It is the smallest of the beaded lizards.
Scientists have studied these lizards in the dry forests of Zacapa, Guatemala. They used special radio trackers to learn about their movements and behavior. They found that each lizard usually roams over an area of about 130 hectares (about 320 acres).
This lizard was first discovered in 1984 by a farm worker named D. Vasquez in Guatemala's Motagua Valley.
What's in a Name?
The name of the group, Heloderma, means "studded skin." This comes from ancient Greek words: hêlos, which means "the head of a nail or stud," and derma, meaning "skin." If you look closely at a beaded lizard, you can see why it got this name!
The specific part of its name, charlesbogerti, was chosen to honor an American reptile expert named Charles Mitchill Bogert.
What Do Guatemalan Beaded Lizards Eat?
H. charlesbogerti often lives in arroyos, which are like dry streambeds. These areas have many bird nests, especially from doves and parakeets. The eggs from these birds are a very important part of the lizard's diet. These birds often build their nests closer to the ground in trees with strong branches. This makes it easier for the heavy lizards to reach the nests.
These lizards also eat insects, such as beetles and crickets. Interestingly, they also eat the eggs of the Guatemalan Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura palearis). This iguana is also an endangered species that lives in the same region. Because the lizard eats the iguana's eggs, the survival of these two endangered species might be connected!
See also
In Spanish: Lagarto enchaquirado del Valle de Motagua para niños
