Ameiva ameiva, also known as the giant ameiva, green ameiva, South American ground lizard, or Amazon racerunner, is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae found in Central, South America, and some Caribbean Islands. Geographic range It is widespread in Central America and South America, including: Panama, Brazil, Colombia, Surinam, French Guiana, Guyana, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and Paraguay. It is also found on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, the Grenadines, Barbados, Margarita, Swan Island, and Isla de la Providencia. It was also once present on Saint Vincent but has since been extirpated. Description Ameiva ameiva has a streamlined body, pointed head, slightly forked tongue, and muscular hind legs. They grow to approximately . Both sexes have random black specks and mottling along the sides. Females usually have much less green than males and a more dusty of a green color. Males have vibrant green coloration and more bold mottling. Males also have more expanded jowls. They are popular as a pet because of the male's striking green coloration. Habitat They live on the forest floor, often sheltering underneath logs and in leaf litter. Captive individuals have been observed making tunnels spanning out from under a log or rock when given enough soil. Diet Its diet consists of mainly insects (such as grasshoppers, butterflies, cockroaches, beetles, termites, and insect larvae), frogs, other lizards (such as anoles), and spiders. Reproduction The female lays several clutches of eggs from March to December. Invasive species This species has been introduced into the United States with thriving populations in South Florida. Parasites This species is infected by a number of protist parasites including: Acroeimeria pintoi Choleoeimeria carinii Plasmodium attenuatum Plasmodium carmelinoi Plasmodium cnemidophori Plasmodium diminutivum Plasmodium minasense Plasmodium pifanoi Plasmodium telfordi Sarcocystis ameivamastigodryasi References Bibliography External links Ameiva ameiva at the Reptile Database Ameiva Reptiles of the Caribbean Reptiles of Argentina Reptiles of Bolivia Reptiles of Brazil Reptiles of Colombia Reptiles of Ecuador Reptiles of French Guiana Reptiles of Guyana Reptiles of Peru Reptiles of Paraguay Reptiles of Suriname Reptiles of Venezuela Reptiles described in 1758 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus