page_title: Mexican alligator lizard
section_title: Physical Description
hierarchical_section_title: Mexican alligator lizard / Physical Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Distribution of Abronia graminea in Mexico from IUCN red list Français&#160;: Répartition d'Abronia graminea au Mexique selon la liste rouge de l'IUCN
context_page_description: The Mexican Alligator Lizard, also known as the Green Arboreal Alligator Lizard, is an endangered species of lizard endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental highlands of Mexico. It can be found in the states of Puebla, Veracruz, and Oaxaca. It was originally described under the genus Gerrhonotus as Gerrhonotus gramineus by Edward D. Cope in 1864.
  The Mexican Alligator Lizard adopts an arboreal lifestyle and is commonly found inhabiting the bromeliads among mesic cloud or pine-oak forest canopies. This habitat offers a humid temperate climate with summer rains. The preferred diet of this species is a variety of insects. Colour patterns of the Mexican alligator lizard can range from bright emerald green to dark teal blue; juvenile colouration is a tan ground colour with dark crossbands.
  This species is currently endangered. Decline of the species is mainly the result of habitat fragmentation due to fire, deforestation, and land use change for agriculture. Illegal trafficking for the pet trade has also contributed to the status of this species.
context_section_description: The Mexican alligator lizard has a dorsoventrally depressed body with a flattened, triangular head and weak lateral fold. It measures approximately 160mm (6 inches) from its snout to the end of its tail and weighs approximately 21g. This species also has a prehensile tail, that can be regrown if lost, and long, strong limbs and digits ideal for its arboreal habitat. The adult colour pattern varies significantly from the juvenile colouration. Adult males are typically bright emerald green while females exhibit colour variations that include bright to dull orange on the dorsal side. Other colour elements present in adults include bright yellow orbital skin, blue highlights on the supralabial scales, and yellow snout, lower jaw, and throat. Dorsal scales contain variable amounts of dark pigmentation on the basal half of the scales. Females of this species occasionally retain dark crossbands characteristic of juvenile colour patterns. Juveniles typically express a light tan ground colour with 9 irregular black crossbands on the body and 19 on the tail, and a dirty yellow ventrum.
  Typical scale patterns for A. graminea includes: 
  12 longitudinal rows of ventral scales
  25-29 transverse dorsal scale rows
  4-6 longitudinal nuchal scale rows
  12-14 longitudinal dorsal scale rows
  11 supralabial scales
  2 rows of infralabial scales (5 scales in 1ˢᵗ row, 6 scales in 2ⁿᵈ row)
  The preauricular scales are granular, and the dorsal scales are slightly keeled. The plates of the head are often thickened and roughed, giving the head a triangular appearance. Typically, the dorsal scales are larger than the ventrals.
caption: Distribution range of the Mexican alligator lizard in the states of Puebla, Veracruz, and Oaxaca.
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