Leiocephalus inaguae

Inagua Curly-tailed Lizard
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Leiocephalidae
Genus: Leiocephalus
Species: L. inaguae
Binomial name
Leiocephalus inaguae
(Schwartz, 1923)

Leiocephalus inaguae, commonly known as the Inaguae Curly-tailed Lizard, is a lizard species from the family of curly-tailed lizards (Leiocephalidae).

The males can reach 90mm (3.5 inches) from snout to vent (SVL), the females smaller at about 74mm (3 inches) SVL. There is a strong colouration difference between the males and females (dichromatism).

It prefers dry, exposed areas and is common on the coast, where it can be found amongst building materials, rocks and drift wood.

The species are typical omnivores, feeding on insects (Lepidoptera larvae, Coleoptera, Formicidae), spiders, fruits, flowers and buds.[1]

The curly-tailed lizard is endemic to the Bahamas and has an extremely restricted range as it is only found on Great Inagua.[2] It is not listed by the IUCN or CITES as needing any special conservation, however, research is needed to determine its vulnerability due to its restricted range.

References

  1. Schwartz, A and R. W. Henderson. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies. Descriptions, distributions and natural history. University of Florida Press. Gainesville, US.
  2. Schwartz, A and R. W. Henderson. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies. Descriptions, distributions and natural history. University of Florida Press. Gainesville, US.
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