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Common Puerto Rican Ameiva
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- Order: Squamata (scaled reptiles)
- Suborder: Lacertilia (=Sauria) (lizards)
- Family: Teiidae (racerunners, ameivas,
tegus, and whiptails)
- Genus: Ameiva (macroteiids)
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| Also known as: jungle
runner, "siguana común" (local term) |
Scientific Name: Ameiva exsul |
| Habitat: A wide range
of habitats; observed in open spaces with nearby cover, and in
close proximity to manmade structures. |
exsul="refugee" (isolated/limited
range)
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| Length: Approximately 2 feet
(mostly tail). |
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| Food: Insects,
arachnids, and smaller animals. |
Range: Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands,
and neighboring islands.
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| This ameiva was found with a few
others near the iguanas at the Westin. I also observed
several in Old San Juan. One specimen was being attacked by
a bird (a grackle) and was putting on an impressive defensive
show, arching its back and trotting around holding its body high
off the ground to appear larger. |
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| These lizards are closely
related to the racerunners and whiptails (Cnemidophorus) of
North America, and share many of the same traits, including the
"jerky" movement while hunting for prey. This
image is a still from my video camera. I will update it if I
can find a way to prevent the pictures from coming out so grainy! |
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