LIZARDS
OF LAS CRUCES BIOLOGICAL STATION, COSTA RICA

If you know which species you are looking for, click on the name below. Otherwise, just scroll down until you find it! Below is the complete list of species of lizards known to occur near Las Cruces. If there is no link, that means that I do not have a photo for that species. Two sizes are given for most lizards: SVL = snout-vent length (body length), and TL = total length (body + tail length).

Family Corytophanidae
    Basiliscus basiliscus
    Corytophanes cristatus

Family Gekkonidae
    Hemidactylus frenatus

Family Polychridae
    Dactyloa insignis
    Norops aquaticus
    Norops biporcatus
    Norops capito
    Norops humilis
    Norops lemurinus
    Norops polylepis
    Norops woodi

Family Scincidae
    Mabuya unimarginata

Family Teeidae
    Ameiva quadrilineata
    Ameiva festiva
    Anadia ocellata
    Ptychoglossus plicatus

Family Xantusidae
    Lepidophyma reticulatum


Family Corytophanidae:
Corytophanes cristatus, the casqued-headed lizard

Notice the large shield on this lizard's forehead. Generally immobile in the vegetation, where it blends in with its surroundings. I found this species most readily on the Jungle Trail, between the station and the Rio Java.

 Larger image and... another photo of this species here


Basiliscus basiliscus, the Jesus Christ lizard

Often found near medium to large rivers. This photo is of an adult male, sleeping on a branch over-hanging a river near Corcovado, actually. Juveniles are seen running over the water surface of rivers to avoid predators or humans.
 Larger image

Family Gekkonidae:
Hemidactlyus frenatus (introduced)

Notice the vertical eye slits and toe-pads of this gecko. I found this species most readily at the El Collina bar, in San Vito. It is very common in the Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica, but uncommon at Las Cruces (1000m), which may represent its upper elevational limit. Larger image

Family: Polychridae
Norops aquaticus

A medium-sized anole, found in the vicinity of small streams. Notice the white band down flanks of face and body, and the greenish coloration. This beautiful lizard will dive in to the stream and cling to underwater roots or rocks to espace predation. Males have small red-orange dewlap. 
 Larger image

Norops biporcatus

Medium-large anole. Although this lizard can readily change colors depending on its background, like most anoles, it is often completely bright green. I encountered this species most often in open pasture areas and disturbed vegeation. Dewlap in males is small, and white-light blue. Adults can measure up to 95mm SVL. Larger image

Norops capito

Medium-sized anole. As its name indicates, this lizard has a big chunky head. Commonly hasblotches of black and mossy colors. Seen on tree trunks in mature forests. Dewlap of males is small, and greenish-yellow. We found adults that measured up to 88 mm SVL and 244 TL. This species is know to prey upon Norops polylepis. Larger image

Norops polylepis 

This is the most common anole around Las Cruces. Females (left) have a characteristic light stipe or diamond pattern down their back. Males (see photo) have a large orange dewlap, and no light dorsal markings. Adult size is ca. 50mm SVL and 150mm TL.

Notice that this female lost her tail in the past (white arrow) and partial regrowth has occurred. Larger image

Norops woodi Slide #1 of 2

Medium sized anole, found from 0-5m on tree trunks in closed-canopy forest. Have blue eyes (see next slide), that helps distinguish juveniles from Norops polylepis. Female N. woodi (left) commonly have a light line, or diamond pattern down the middle of their back. Adults up to ca: 80mm SVL and 270mm TL (note that this species tends to grow larger here than in other parts of the country). 
 Larger image

Norops woodi Slide #2 of 2

Notice blue eye, characteristic of this species.
 Larger image

Family Scincidae:
Mabuya unimarginata

Skinks have a shiny plastic-rope look to them, and are often seen basking in a patch of sun. This species will readily drop its tail if attacked or grabbed by a predator. 
Not to be confused with Ptychoglossus plicatus, which has larger scales, particularly the ventrals.
 Larger image

Family Teiidae:
Ameiva quadrilineata 

Characteristic four light lines, two on each side of body. Seen scurrying through low vegetation in open areas (eg. grassy areas near cabins). Juveniles may have metallic-blue tails? Larger image

Ameiva festiva

Similar to Ameiva quadilineata, but with a light zig-zag dorsal pattern. Also lives in open habitats. Juveniles have metallic-blue tails. Larger image

Anadia ocellata Slide #1 of 2
Notice very long tail relative to body. High-canopy lizard, rarely encountered. Although this individual fell of the roof of one of the cabins in Las Cruces. See next slide for characteritic white spots ("ocellata") on side of body.
 Larger image
Anadia ocellata Slide #2 of 2

Characteritic line of white spots ("ocellata") on each side of body. Larger image

Ptychoglossus plicatus
Seen scavenging on the forest ground, under the leaf-litter (sometimes in pastures nearby forests). Shiny brown scales, and very large ventral scales. Thinner body, and will not bask in sun like the similar-looking Mabuya unimarginata.
 Larger image
Family Xantusiidae:
Lepidophyma reticulatum

Large lizard, with black body and yellow spots. Seen near human habitations, or under piles of brush. 
 Larger image

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