By The Mexican Alligator Lizard, scientifically known as Abronia graminea, is a stunningly beautiful, bright green reptile native to the Sierra Madre Oriental highlands of southern Mexico. This striking lizard has gained popularity among reptile enthusiasts in recent years. However, it’s crucial to understand that the Mexican Alligator Lizard is not a low-maintenance pet for a novice. Proper care and habitat setup are essential for the well-being of this unique species. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover all the pertinent information you need to know about the Mexican Alligator Lizard, including its natural habitat, appearance, size, lifespan, care, and potential health issues.
Table of Contents
Overview
- Common Name: Mexican Alligator Lizard, Green Arboreal Alligator Lizard
- Scientific Name: Abronia graminea
- Natural Habitat: Cloud forests in the Sierra Madre Oriental highlands of southern Mexico
- Adult Size: 6-12 inches
- Lifespan: 10-20 years in captivity
- Diet: Insectivore
- Enclosure: Tall vivarium, minimum 20″ L x 20″ W x 30″ H
- Experience Level: Intermediate to advanced
Natural Habitat
The Mexican Alligator Lizard is found in the cloud forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range in Mexico. These moist, subtropical forests experience low-level cloud cover, resulting in a consistently high humidity level. The cloud forests are characterized by cool temperatures, drastic day and night temperature changes, and an abundance of moss. The Mexican Alligator Lizard thrives in these conditions, living a predominantly arboreal lifestyle in the canopies of tall trees.
Due to illegal pet trade, deforestation, and wildfires, the Mexican Alligator Lizard is now classified as an endangered species. As a result, it is illegal to collect them from the wild. It’s essential to obtain your captive-bred Mexican Alligator Lizard from a reputable breeder to ensure you are not contributing to the decline of this species in the wild.
Appearance and Colors
The Mexican Alligator Lizard is known for its stunning emerald green color and unique appearance. Its keeled scales, which give its skin a rough texture, resemble armor-like plates, earning the lizard its alligator-like namesake. The triangular head of the Mexican Alligator Lizard features rigid armor-like scales, further enhancing its prehistoric appearance.
Juvenile Mexican Alligator Lizards are typically a drab, brownish-tan color with numerous black crossbands on their bodies and tails. As they mature, their green coloration develops, starting on the head and gradually spreading across the entire body. Adult females may retain faint markings from their juvenile stage.
The lizard’s long, prehensile tail and strong limbs and toes are adaptations for its arboreal lifestyle, allowing it to grip and climb branches with ease. Like many lizard species, the Mexican Alligator Lizard is capable of regrowing its tail if it is lost.
Size and Lifespan
Mexican Alligator Lizards are relatively small, with adults measuring between 6 and 12 inches in length. Males and females are generally similar in size, but males tend to have larger heads and weigh slightly more than females. Neonate Mexican Alligator Lizards are incredibly tiny, measuring around 4 inches in length and as thick as an adult pinky finger.
In captivity, the Mexican Alligator Lizard can live for 10 to 20 years, with proper care. They typically reach sexual maturity at around 2 to 3 years of age.
Temperament
Mexican Alligator Lizards are curious and active creatures, making them fascinating to observe in captivity. However, they are not suitable for frequent handling due to their small size, speed, and shyness. They may bite when cornered or restrained, which, while not life-threatening, can be painful and draw blood.
In general, it’s best to consider the Mexican Alligator Lizard as an observation-only species, focusing on creating a beautiful and naturalistic habitat that highlights their stunning appearance and intriguing behavior.
Housing
When it comes to housing a Mexican Alligator Lizard, the enclosure’s height is much more crucial than its floor space, as these lizards are arboreal and require ample vertical space for climbing. A tall vivarium with a minimum size of 20 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 30 inches tall is recommended for adult Mexican Alligator Lizards. Providing a well-ventilated enclosure is essential for maintaining a healthy environment, as stagnant, moist habitats can breed harmful organisms.
Enclosure Type
There is some debate among Mexican Alligator Lizard keepers about the best material for constructing the enclosure. Screen or mesh enclosures offer adequate ventilation, which is vital when dealing with the high humidity levels this species requires. However, keepers living in arid climates may argue that glass enclosures are necessary to maintain those high humidity levels.
Regardless of the material chosen, it’s crucial to ensure proper ventilation in the enclosure. If using a solid-sided enclosure, consider installing electric fans to increase airflow and maintain a healthy environment for your lizard.
Substrate
The primary function of the substrate in a Mexican Alligator Lizard’s enclosure is to maintain a high level of humidity. Suitable substrate options for this species include:
- Sphagnum moss or orchid moss
- Organic potting soil
- Coconut fiber
- Peat moss
- Cypress mulch
- Washed play sand
- Spanish moss
- Leaf litter
These substrates help create pockets of increased humidity and cooler temperatures for your lizard to explore and utilize as needed.
Decor
As an arboreal species, Mexican Alligator Lizards require a habitat filled with natural or artificial branches and vines for climbing. Aim to fill and utilize as much of the vertical space in the enclosure as possible. Elevated hiding spots, such as cork rounds or mounted arboreal hides, can replicate the tree hollows these lizards often use for shelter in the wild.
Plants
In their natural habitat, Mexican Alligator Lizards rely on epiphytic plants, such as bromeliads, orchids, ferns, and moss, for shelter, increased humidity, water, and prey. As a result, many keepers opt for planted terrariums that incorporate these species into the enclosure design. These plants can be tied to decor and require similar conditions to those needed by the Mexican Alligator Lizard, making them a suitable and attractive addition to the habitat.
Temperature and Lighting
Mexican Alligator Lizards prefer cooler temperatures and are more susceptible to overheating than many other reptile species. The heat provided by their UV lighting system is often sufficient to create a suitable basking spot for these lizards. If additional heat is required, a low-wattage heat bulb may be used during the day and turned off at night to allow for a nighttime temperature drop.
- Basking Spot Temperature: 78-82°F
- Ambient Temperature: 75-80°F
- Nighttime Ambient Drop: 50-72°F
Lighting is essential for the health and well-being of the Mexican Alligator Lizard. These lizards require 12 hours of UVB exposure per day, either through natural sunlight or the use of a 7-10% UVB fluorescent bulb.
Humidity and Water
Maintaining proper humidity levels is crucial for the health of a Mexican Alligator Lizard. These lizards require a humidity level of 60-80%, which can be achieved through regular misting of the enclosure. It’s essential to ensure that the substrate does not become overly saturated, as stagnant, moist conditions can breed harmful bacteria and mold.
Mexican Alligator Lizards obtain their water by drinking droplets that form on the leaves and walls of their enclosure after misting. Providing a shallow water dish can also help ensure that your lizard stays hydrated.
Food and Diet
The Mexican Alligator Lizard is an insectivore and will thrive on a diet of various insects, including:
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Caterpillars (hornworms)
- Snails
- Spiders
- Larvae (mealworms, black soldier fly larvae)
- Roaches
Gut-loading feeder insects with calcium-rich leafy greens and fruits 24 hours before feeding will provide your lizard with the necessary nutrients. Additionally, dusting insects with calcium powder every other feeding and with a reptile multivitamin once a week is recommended. Adult Mexican Alligator Lizards should be fed three times per week.
Handling
As previously mentioned, Mexican Alligator Lizards are not suitable for frequent handling. However, if necessary, handle your lizard gently by placing your hand underneath its belly and resting your other palm on top of its body. Allow the lizard to move around your palm and curl its prehensile tail around your fingers. Limit handling to a minute or two, and return the lizard to its enclosure to minimize stress.
Common Health Issues
The majority of health issues encountered by Mexican Alligator Lizards are related to improper husbandry practices. Some of the most common issues include:
- Overheating
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Metabolic Bone Disease
By following proper care guidelines and maintaining a suitable environment for your lizard, these issues can be easily avoided.
Breeding
Breeding Mexican Alligator Lizards can be a rewarding, albeit challenging, process. These lizards are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. The breeding season typically occurs between September and December, with gestation lasting 6-8 months. Gravid females will exhibit swollen abdomens and build nests in the substrate.
Proper care for gravid females includes providing protein-rich food and maintaining a cool, moist environment. A basking spot with a temperature of 82°F is necessary for the healthy development of the offspring. After giving birth, it is essential to keep newborns separated from adult lizards, as adults may cannibalize or harass the young.
Conclusion
The Mexican Alligator Lizard is a captivating and challenging reptile to keep as a pet. With proper care, a suitable habitat, and a commitment to understanding their unique requirements, these lizards can make a fascinating addition to any reptile enthusiast’s collection. While not suitable for beginners, the Mexican Alligator Lizard’s beauty and intriguing behavior make it a rewarding species for those ready to take on the challenge of providing a suitable environment for these stunning creatures.