Callopistes maculatus, also known as the dwarf tegu, Chilean dwarf tegu, spotted false monitor or Chilean iguana (in Spanish iguana Chilena), is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae. It is endemic to Chile.

Description

It is the largest lizard of Chile, reaching a 50 cm length.

Diet

A diurnal species, it mainly preys upon insects. However, it also eats other, smaller lizards, snakes and small birds and mammals. At times, it may also eat substantial amounts of fruit.

Ecology

The species frequents rocky, sandy scrubland environments in areas such as the Atacama Desert, at altitudes below 500m. In 2015, this species was discovered hosting a new genus and species of parasitic mites, Callopistiella atacamensis. The genus was named after the host genus Callopistes.

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