Lizards of South America

thumb|A male green iguana

Hoplocercidae are a family of lizards native to the tropical forests, woodlands and savanna-like habitats of Central and South America. Alternatively they are recognized as a subfamily, Hoplocercinae. 20 species in two genera are described.

species of reptile

Sphaerodactylus is a genus of geckos from the Americas that are distinguished from other Gekkota by their small size, by their round, rather than vertical, eye pupils, and by each digit terminating in a single, round adhesive pad or scale, from which their name (Sphaero = round, dactylus = finger) is derived. All species in this genus are rather small, but two species, S. ariasae and S. parthenopion, are tiny, and – with a snout-vent length of about – the smallest reptiles in the world.

Microlophus is a genus of tropidurid lizards native to South America. Around 20 species are recognized and 10 of these are endemic to the Galápagos Islands, where they are commonly known as lava lizards (they are sometimes placed in Tropidurus instead). The remaining, which often are called Pacific iguanas, are found in the Andes and along the Pacific coasts of Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.

genus of reptiles

Thecadactylus is a gekko genus from the tropical Americas. They are known as the turnip-tailed geckos. The genus belongs to the gecko family Phyllodactylidae. Until 2007, it was believed to be monotypic, with T. rapicauda the sole species. Then however, the population from upstream southern Amazon basin was discovered to be very distinct and was named a new species, T. solimoensis. A third species was described in 2011.

species of reptile

Polychrus is the only extant genus of polychrotid lizards in the world. Commonly called bush anoles, they are found in Central and South America, as well as nearby Trinidad and Tobago.

species of reptile

genus of reptiles

Callopistes is a genus of lizards in the family Teiidae. The genus contains two extant species, which are native to Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, as well as two fossil species found in Argentina.

Phymaturus is a genus of iguanian lizards of the family Liolaemidae, a family which was traditionally included in the Iguanidae as a subfamily, but more recently was proposed to warrant family status in the Liolaemidae. Phymaturus is the mid-sized genus of its family, with 50 species altogether known as of 2021; new species are still being discovered, however.

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

Arthrosaura is a genus of spectacled lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae.

genus of reptiles

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

Phyllopezus is a genus of South American geckos, lizards in the family Phyllodactylidae. The genus contains eight described species.

Potamites is a genus of lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The genus is restricted to northern South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) and southern Central America (Costa Rica and Panama). They are semiaquatic and found near streams.

species on reptile

Pholidobolus is a genus of lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae. They occur in north-western South America (Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia).

genus of reptiles

Riama is a genus of lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The genus is endemic to South America.

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

Diploglossus is a genus of New World diploglossid lizards, with ten described species, commonly known as galliwasps.

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile

species of reptile