North America’s Mexican Alligator Lizard, which also goes by Arboreal Alligator Lizard (or Abronia graminea to get technical), is an endangered reptile found in, you guessed it, Mexico. Specific regions the Alligator Lizard is known to thrive include humid locations in Puebla and Oaxaca.

Known for their vibrant green skin and varying eye colors, the lizard is uniquely textured with well-defined scales. The reptile’s most distinctive feature is by far the light ring around its eyes.

Facts About the Mexican Alligator Lizard

• The lizard’s strong legs, sturdy fingers/toes and thick tail are due to the reptile spending most of its time climbing trees. However, the lizard often burrows when it’s on the ground.
• Mexican Alligator Lizards typically grow to 12 inches in adulthood. Over half of this length is made up of a tail!
• In captivity, the lizard’s lifespan is usually about 20 years.
• They subsist on a diet of mostly insects such as butter worms, mealworms, snails, grasshoppers and crickets.
• Common health issues that affect Mexican Alligator Lizards include mouth rot, respiratory infections, parasitic infections, and metabolic bone disease. The reptile is also known to get stressed easily by external factors.
• The Alligator Lizard has a peaceful nature and only tends to bite when intimidated. Despite their gentle nature, the lizards prefer not to be handled too often.