Ameiva ameiva, also known as the giant ameiva, green ameiva, South American ground lizard, or Amazon racerunner, is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae found in Central and South America, and some Caribbean Islands.

Geographic range

It is widespread in Central and South America, including: Panama, Brazil, Colombia, Surinam, French Guiana, Guyana, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and Paraguay. It is also found on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, the Grenadines, Barbados,St Kitts and Nevis, Margarita, Swan Island, and Isla de la Providencia. It was also once present on Saint Vincent but has since been extirpated.

Description

Ameiva ameiva has a streamlined body, pointed head, slightly forked tongue, and muscular hind legs. They grow to approximately 45 - 50 cm. Both sexes have random black specks and mottling along the sides. Females usually have much less green than males and a more dusty of a green color. Males have vibrant green coloration and more bold mottling. Males also have more expanded jowls. They are popular as a pet because of the male's striking green coloration.

Habitat

They live on the forest floor, often sheltering underneath logs and in leaf litter. Captive individuals have been observed making tunnels spanning out from under a log or rock when given enough soil.

Diet

Its diet consists of mainly insects (such as grasshoppers, butterflies, cockroaches, mole crickets, beetles, termites, and insect larvae), frogs, other lizards (such as anoles, dwarf geckos, skinks, and even conspecifics), amphisbaenians, spiders, snails, and plant matter.

Reproduction

The female lays several clutches of eggs from March to December.

Invasive species

This species has been introduced into the United States with thriving populations in South Florida.

Parasites

This species is infected by a number of protist parasites including: