Puerto Rican Ground Lizard

Description:

A species of lizard in the whiptail family, endemic to most of the Puerto Rico archipelago and the adjoining Virgin Islands. The male Puerto Rican Ground Lizard can attain a snout-to-vent (SVL) length in excess of 8 inches (20 centimeters), while females are generally smaller. Dorsal color is olive to olive brown, with black and white dots scattered over the back above the shoulders and with dark brown or blackish flanks and white dots or stripes. The lower flanks may have a ‘checkerboard’ pattern of white or bluish spots on a dark background, which may extend onto the tail. The ventral surface is pearly white or turquoise blue, the throat is purple or pinkish.

Habitat:

Ground along trail through rocks and dry woods down to Baths on Virgin Gorda, BVI.