Species Fact Profile: Mexican Alligator Lizard (Abronia graminea)

                                          Mexican (Emerald) Alligator Lizard

                                               Abronia graminea (Cope, 1864)

Range: Southern Mexico (Sierra Madre do Oaxaca)

Habitat: Pine-Oak Cloud Forest, 1,300-2,800 meters elevation

Diet: Insects and other arthropods

Social Grouping: Unknown

Reproduction: Breeding season takes place in summer or fall, with parturition in the spring.  Females give live birth of litters of up to 12 young after a gestation period of 6-8 months.  Young are independent at birth.  Sexually mature at 2-3 years old.

Lifespan: 10 Years

      Conservation Status: IUCN Endangered, CITES Appendix II

• Body length about 10 centimeters head and body, with an additional 16 centimeters or tail, weighing about 20 grams.  Flattened, triangular head, prehensile tail can be regrown if lost
• Adult males usually bright green to dark teal blue, females may be more variable.  Both sexes paler, nearly white, on the underside.  Often have yellow skin around the eyes, blue highlights around the snout.  Juveniles tend to be duller than adults
• Highly arboreal, rarely come down from the canopy (about 40 meters above the ground), using its prehensile tail to assist with climbing
• Primary threat is degradation of habitat due to deforestation and fires.  Intolerant of disturbed habitat.  Also threatened by collection for the pet trade