Emerald swift facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emerald swift
In Antigua Guatemala
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Phrynosomatidae
Genus:	Sceloporus
Species:	S. malachiticus
Binomial name
Sceloporus malachiticus Cope, 1864
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Synonyms
Sceloporus irazuensis Günther, 1890 Sceloporus formosus malachiticus - H.M. Smith, 1939 Sceloporus malachiticus - F. Schmidt et al., 1999

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The emerald swift (also known as the green spiny lizard) is a small, bright green lizard. Its scientific name is Sceloporus malachiticus. These cool lizards live in Central America. They are part of the Phrynosomatidae family, which includes many types of spiny lizards.

What Does It Look Like?

An emerald swift in Savegre, Costa Rica

Emerald swifts are famous for their amazing bright green color. The males are usually even brighter than the females. They often have cool blue patches on the sides of their bellies.

These lizards grow to be about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) long. Their scales are quite stiff and have a spiny feel. This gives them a unique, rough texture.

How Do They Behave?

Emerald swifts are active during the day. This means they are diurnal animals. They also love to climb trees, making them arboreal lizards.

In the morning, they hunt for insects to eat. After their meal, they spend a lot of time basking in the sun. This helps them warm up their bodies. If it gets too hot, or when it's time to sleep, they will hide. They might go into a burrow, or under a rock or log. Scientists believe they live for about three to five years.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Unlike many lizards that lay eggs, emerald swifts give birth to live young. This is called ovoviviparous. Their eggs actually hatch inside the mother's body. Each year, a female can give birth to about six to fifteen baby lizards.

Where Do They Live?

You can find the emerald swift in many countries in Central America. Their home stretches from the Yucatan region of Mexico all the way down to Panama. They also live in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Emerald Swifts as Pets

Emerald swifts are quite popular as exotic pets. People like them because of their beautiful colors and because they are fairly easy to care for.

If you have an emerald swift as a pet, they will happily eat crickets that you can buy at a pet store. They don't need a huge tank, but they do need special UV lighting. This light helps them stay healthy, just like sunlight does in their natural home.