Description:
Scientific name: Abronia graminea
Life span: About 10 years
The green arboreal alligator lizard is another name for the Mexican alligator lizard (Abronia graminea). The Mexican alligator lizard has a weak lateral fold, a flattened, triangular skull, and a dorsoventrally depressed body. Moreover, this species features long, muscular arms and digits that are perfect for its arboreal habitat as well as a prehensile tail that may regrow if lost. The coloration of adults differs greatly from that of children. Mature males often have striking emerald green coloration, while females can vary in color from dazzling to dull orange on the dorsal side.
Native Region/Habitat
A widely dispersed species that is native to Mexico’s highlands along the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range is the Mexican alligator lizard. Its estimated area of distribution is 11,500 km2. The states of Puebla, Veracruz, and Oaxaca are included in this range.
Behavior:
The placid and kind Mexican alligator lizard. When disturbed, the lizard can become violent and may bite if it feels threatened. Although the Mexican alligator lizard is not poisonous, it can nonetheless bite you painfully. In order to escape a predator’s grasp, it might also shed its tail.
Mexican alligator lizard males have territorial behavior. When other males reach their area, they may engage in combat for control of their territory. Mexican alligator lizards dislike handling and will make an effort to escape.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Enclosure Size:
The Mexican alligator lizard requires an enclosure that is at least 30 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 20 inches long. The lizard has room to climb thanks to the height, and there is enough area to walk around thanks to the width. For simple access, the enclosure should have a smaller aperture at the top and a wider one at the front.
Temperature and Humidity:
A Mexican alligator lizard prefers a climate of 75–80 °F. During night, the temperature should drop to between 50 and 72 °F. The lizard needs a basking area that is between 78 and 82 °F in order to warm its body and metabolize calcium.
The Mexican alligator lizard is at risk from high temperatures. Dehydration, premature skin shedding, and even death are all effects of extreme heat. A low-wattage light bulb placed above the area for sunbathing will provide the additional heat.
A consistent humidity level in the enclosure should be between 60 and 80%. Maximum hydration is ensured by sufficient humidity, which also avoids shedding issues. The humidity levels can be kept constant by using a full-spectrum humidifier or an autonomous misting system.
Food and Water:
Alligator lizards from Mexico eat insects. The lizards consume locusts, hornworms, superworms, silkworms, crickets, cockroaches, and cockroach eggs. Vegetables rich in nutrients, such as kale, zucchini, and spinach, should be gut-loaded onto the insects. Sprinkle the insects with additives like vitamin D3 to give the Mexican alligator lizard an ideal feast.
Mexican alligator lizards should not be fed harmful insects like fireflies, elder bugs, and luminous bugs. Lizards will consume water droplets that occur after sprinkling on the enclosure’s leaves and walls. Mexican alligator lizards are kept well hydrated by having a shallow bowl of clean water available at all times.
Fruit flies are the main food source for baby Mexican alligator lizards, who switch to smaller crickets, as they get bigger. Large crickets, hornworms, super worms, silkworms, butter worms, and locusts are among the food sources for juveniles and adults. Feed adolescents at least once every other day, adults three times per week, and babies every day.
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