Liolaemus is a genus of iguanian lizards, containing many species, all of which are endemic to South America.

Description

Members of the genus Liolaemus form a dominant part of the lizard fauna of the southern part of the continent of South America, and vary considerably in size (45 - 100 mm snout–vent length) and weight (3 - 200 g).

Geographic range

Liolaemus species are found in the Andes and adjacent lowlands, from Peru to Tierra del Fuego, at altitudes that can exceed 4500 m. The genus has been recorded at 5,400 metres above sea level on Chachani mountain, which is the highest recorded altitude for any reptile species. Liolaemus magellanicus and Liolaemus sarmientoi are the world's southernmost reptiles, living as far south as Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and the northern shores of the Strait of Magellan respectively.

Diet

Most species of Liolaemus are omnivorous, but a few purely insectivorous and herbivorous species are known.

Species

There are more than 225 described species in the genus Liolaemus, but the true number of species may be about double this number. Liolaemus is by far the largest genus of the liolaemid lizards, which are traditionally treated as subfamily Liolaeminae within the Iguanidae but more recently were proposed for upranking to full family Liolaemidae. The following species are recognised:

Pets

Some species of Liolaemus have been recently kept as pets, and as many of them originate from regions that experience cold conditions, they are named "snow swifts". More generally, the genus is known as "tree iguanas".