Ameiva ameiva

It is widespread in Central America and South America, including: Panama, Brazil, Colombia, Surinam, French Guiana, Guyana, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and Paraguay. It is also found on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, the Grenadines, Barbados, Margarita, Swan Island, and Isla de la Providencia.[1] It was also once present on Saint Vincent but has since been extirpated.

Ameiva ameiva has a streamlined body, pointed head, slightly forked tongue, and muscular hind legs. They grow to approximately 45–50 cm (18–20 in). Both sexes have random black specs and mottling along the sides. Females usually have much less green than males and a more dusty of a green color. Males have vibrant green coloration and more bold mottling. Males also have more expanded jowls. They are popular as a pet because of the male's striking green coloration.

They live on the forest floor, often sheltering underneath logs and in leaf litter. Captive individuals have been observed making tunnels spanning out from under a log or rock when given enough soil.

Its diet consists of mainly insects, frogs, and spiders. In captivity, mealworms are a favorite of the ameiva along with crickets.

The female lays several clutches of eggs from March to December.

This species has been introduced into the United States with thriving populations in South Florida.

This species is infected by a number of protist parasites including:

• Acroeimeria pintoi
• Choleoeimeria carinii
• Plasmodium attenuatum
• Plasmodium carmelinoi
• Plasmodium cnemidophori
• Plasmodium diminutivum
• Plasmodium minasense
• Plasmodium pifanoi
• Plasmodium telfordi
• Sarcocystis ameivamastigodryasi

• Malhotra, Anita; Thorpe, Roger S. (1999). Reptiles & Amphibians of the Eastern Caribbean. Macmillan Education Ltd. pp. 101, 104, 106. ISBN 0-333-69141-5.

• Media related to Ameiva ameiva at Wikimedia Commons
• "Ameiva ameiva" at the Encyclopedia of Life
• Ameiva ameiva at the Reptile Database