The Mexican alligator lizard is a fascinating lizard that can be found in Mexico. Their beautiful green or teal color and unique appearance make them extremely popular in the pet trade. If you want to see what other arboreal alligator lizards there are, check out our article on 10 different arboreal alligator lizards. Otherwise, keep scrolling to learn more about the Mexican Alligator lizard!
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Quick Facts
Scientific Name: Abronia graminea
Common Names: Mexican Arboreal Alligator Lizard, Mexican Alligator Lizard, Terrestrial Arboreal Alligator Lizard
Geographic Range: Mexico
Life Span: 15+ Years
Conservation Status: Endangered
Top 10 List – Mexican Alligator Lizard
1. A Large Majority Of Mexican Alligator Lizards’ Length Is Their Tail
Mexican alligator lizards have a few different body and belly/around the eye colors, which are talked about more below. Males tend to be more vibrant than females. Baby Mexican alligator lizards are paler, often tan in color, and have dark lateral stripes down their bodies. Some adult females still have faint dark markings on their backs from when they were young. Adults range from 15 – 30cm (6 – 12 inches) in total length, with about half of that length being their tail. On average they weigh around 21 grams. Babies are only around 4 inches in length and are only as thick as an adult pinky finger.
These interesting lizards have triangular heads and keeled scales that give them a rough appearance. Their long prehensile tails are perfect for helping them climb and navigate through the trees in which they live. If they lose their tails they are able to regrow them, although they might not look the same as the original tail.
2. Mexican Alligator Lizards Have Two Main Color Varieties
Mexican alligator lizards have two different main colors for their bodies. The first is a beautiful green color, and the second is a pretty teal color. Around their eyes and bellies can also be either white or a bright yellow. It is believed that the color of the lizard depends on what kind of UVB light they receive. Lizards that have natural sunlight tend to turn out more bright green, while the alligator lizards under artificial light are more often teal in color.
Another possible theory that people have is that it could have to do with the insects they are fed in captivity vs. those they catch in the wild.
3. They Are Insectivorous
Not much is known of the Mexican Alligator lizards’ feeding strategies or the exact type of insects they eat. Hopefully, more studies of them in the wild will be done in the future so we can learn more about how these fascinating lizards eat and catch their food. It is known, however, that they are insectivores. They like to feed on the various insects and other arthropods available in the habitat they live in, especially those insects that are found in the bromeliad plants that these alligator lizards like to inhabit.
4. These Lizards Are Most Active During The Day
Alligator lizards are diurnal, which means they are awake and most active during the day, sunning themselves and catching food. They are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in the trees. They seem to prefer large oak trees with moss, ferns, orchids, and most importantly bromeliads. Alligator lizards prefer to hang out in bromeliads because they provide them with shelter, humidity, water, and food. Males are often territorial and will defend their territories from other males.
5. Mexican Alligator Lizards Inhabit Forests in Mexico
In Mexico, Mexican alligator lizards can be found in the states of Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca. They are usually found in cloud or pine-oak forests. Within these humid, temperate climates they may experience dramatic temperature changes during the night and day. They are found in various plants. The most common of these plants are bromeliads, however, they may sometimes be found on lichen and orchids. They can usually be spotted at heights of 40m (131 feet) up in the tree canopies. They do not survive well in degraded habitats.
6. They Are Called Alligator Lizards Because Of Their Scales
These beautiful lizards are sometimes referred to as Mexican arboreal alligator lizards, and each part is for a specific reason. The Mexican part is most likely since they are found in Mexico. Arboreal comes from the fact that they are indeed mostly arboreal, spending the majority of their time in the trees. Finally, the alligator part is because their back and belly scales are reinforced by bone, which is similar to the scales of alligators.
7. Mexican Alligator Lizards Give Birth To Live Young
Mexican alligator lizards do not lay eggs like many other reptiles. Just like other arboreal alligator lizards, they are viviparous, meaning that they give birth to live babies. They are considered mature and ready to breed at around 2 or 3 years old. Breeding season usually happens during the fall season. 6 – 8 months later, sometime between March and June, the mother is ready to give birth. She will then find a safe place hidden away to give birth to anywhere from 3 – 14 baby Mexican alligator lizards. Females only have 1 litter a year, although it is not guaranteed that they will produce a litter every single year.
8. Mexican Alligator Lizards Are Considered Endangered
Mexican alligator lizards are listed as endangered on the IUCN RedList. In Mexico, they are protected by the law under the pr (special protection) category. They also occur in two protected areas. These are in Cañón del Río Blanco National Park and Pico de Orizaba National Park.
The main threats to Mexican arboreal lizards’ population are deforestation and degradation of their habitat. In particular, the conversion of their land for agricultural use. Another huge reason is people illegally collect them from the wild, to sell them as pets in the international pet trade.
9. They Are Treasured In The Pet Trade
Due to their beautiful colors and unique appearance, Mexican alligator lizards are popular in the pet trade. However, we do recommend that they be left to more experienced reptile keepers. They need proper care and setup to thrive, and they are not fond of being handled, and it can stress them out. If properly cared for, however, with a proper cage you can have a beautiful display animal that you can watch live their lives.
If you are going to look into purchasing one of these gorgeous reptiles, we highly recommend looking for captive-bred lizards to buy. Wild-caught alligator lizards could have diseases or parasites, and do not adapt well to captivity. Captive-bred babies tend to do better as pets as they have always lived in captivity. Buying wild-caught alligator lizards will also contribute to their declining population, as in the wild they are considered endangered, and removing even more from the wild can have harmful effects.
10. They Are Incorrectly Thought To Be Venomous
In their native habitats, many locals of the area believe that Mexican alligator lizards, or alligator lizards in general, are venomous. Because of this, many locals are afraid of Mexican alligator lizards. Some even refer to them as “escorpion de arbol”, which is Spanish for tree scorpion. They may have this belief that they are venomous due to alligator lizards’ willingness to defend themselves with a bite. While the bite may hurt, Mexican alligator lizards are not venomous, so their bite is relatively harmless. However, because of this misconception, many locals will often kill alligator lizards.
11. Mexican Alligator Lizards Are Occasionally Confused For Mixtecan Arboreal Alligator Lizards
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The Mexican alligator lizard (Abronia graminea) is sometimes mistaken for the Mixtecan arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia mixteca). The two species not only have similar sounding names, but they can both be found in Oaxaca state in Mexico and have similar appearances with their long green slender bodies. The Mixtecan arboreal alligator lizard appears to have larger scales under its chin, and some of these lizards may have black markings on their backs and heads. Mexican alligator lizards have a more distinct white or yellow ring around their eyes.
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