Central American Whiptail

Ameiva festiva

The Middle American Ameiva, Central American Whiptail, or Tiger Ameiva is a species of whiptail lizard found from southern Mexico to Colombia.
Central American whiptail (Holcosus festivus) Another beautiful animal from out hike along the Bananito River in Caribbeam Costa Rica, 2014. Note: Listed in older literature as Ameiva festiva. According to my field guide (Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica, Federico Muñoz Chacón & Richard Dennis Johnston, 2013), this would be a juvenile specimen because of the blue tail (dark in adults). About the family, my field guide writes: ”The Teiids are robust lizards with pointed heads and large eyes. Their heads are covered with large plates; their bodies bear much smaller scales. Costa Rican species have long bodies and long, evenly tapered, whiplike tails. They are fast, but when not in motion, habitually bask in sunny spots. Terrestrial and diurnal.” This lizard basically checks out on all aspects described above :) Ameiva festiva,Central American Whiptail,Costa Rica,Eidechse,Fall,Gebiete,Geotagged,Holcosus festivus,Reptilien

Appearance

Brown coloured with darker browns making a zig-zag pattern down the back. Similar species, ''Ameiva quadrilineata''. Lives in open habitats. Juveniles have metallic-blue tails.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyTeiidae
GenusAmeiva
SpeciesA. festiva
Photographed in
Costa Rica
Mexico