Central American Whiptail

Description:

The Middle American Ameiva, Central American Whiptail, or Tiger Ameiva (Ameiva festiva) is a species of whiptail lizard found from southern Mexico to Colombia. Brown coloured with darker browns making a zig-zag pattern down the back. Similar species, Ameiva quadilineata. Lives in open habitats. Juveniles have metallic-blue tails. It is extremely fast when a lizard body temperature has risen through the sun, so often venture out of the forest to warm. It is distributed in Costa Rica and both slopes reaching up to 800 m. altitude, except in the lowlands of the northwest region. Seen in Selva Verde Lodge, Costa RicaIt, this lizards was in the process of shedding its skin.

Habitat:

An inhabitant of moist and wet forests of the lowlands. From fully terrestrial habits, foraging on the forest floor actively looking for invertebrates. Is abundant throughout its range. Also you can find on roads and highways, raising body temperature with exposure to sunlight. Due to its medium size can spend a few minutes without reheating, allowing you to enter dark areas or without direct solar illumination, within the forest to forage.