top of page

Lizards of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER​ SAURIA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Reptiles (Class Reptilia)

-​Snakes and Lizards (Order Squamata)

-Lizards (Suborder​ Sauria)

-Phrynosomatid Lizards (Family Phrynosomatidae)

-Sceloporine Lizards (Subfamily Sceloporinae)

-Tree and Bush Lizards (Genus Urosaurus)

-Tropical Tree Lizard (Urosaurus bicarinatus)


Urosaurus bicarinatus (Tropical Tree Lizard) is a small arboreal lizard , with the males slightly bigger than females. It is endemic to Pacific coast of W Mexico from Sonora to Michoacan. Overall color of dorsal region is gray to brownish gray with numerous white tubercles. Their throat is yellow. Typical clutch has 4- 8 eggs. Feeds on mostly insects and their larvae.

Tropical Tree Lizard

Urosaurus bicarinatus

Diet

  • Primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, termites, beetles, flies, moths, caterpillars, spiders, and other small arthropods.

  • Occasionally consumes tiny fruits, nectar, and pollen.

  • Hunts during the day by moving along tree trunks, branches, fences, and rocks, making quick dashes to capture prey.

Range

  • Found from western and southern Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica.

  • In Mexico, it occurs along both the Pacific and Gulf slopes, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Found from sea level to about 2,000 m (6,560 ft).

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical semi-deciduous forests, thorn scrub, woodland edges, secondary forests, mangrove margins, and urban parks and gardens.

  • Commonly seen on tree trunks, fence posts, stone walls, wooden fences, and rocky outcrops.

  • Diurnal and highly arboreal, usually remaining a short distance above the ground.

Size

  • Total length: 12–18 cm (4.7–7.1 in)

  • Snout-to-vent length (SVL): 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in)

  • Weight: 4–10 g

bottom of page