# Giant Ameiva (*Ameiva ameiva*) The Giant Ameiva is a colorful lizard that loves to run around in the sun! It has a long body and can be very fast, making it fun to watch as it darts through the grass. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Giant Ameiva](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ameiva_ameiva-_female_-_Flickr_-_Dick_Culbert.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ameiva_ameiva-_female_-_Flickr_-_Dick_Culbert.jpg) ## Appearance The Giant Ameiva is a large, slender lizard often sporting vibrant green or blue sides, with a brown back and sometimes white or black spots. Its long, whip-like tail can be a third of its total body length, helping it look much bigger. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Teiidae - **Genus:** Ameiva ## Interesting facts - Giant Ameivas are often called "jungle runners" for their incredible speed through undergrowth! - Some Giant Ameiva populations are entirely female and reproduce without a mate! - Their iridescent scales can shimmer different colors when seen from various angles! - They spend their whole day hunting, constantly flicking their tongues to "taste" the air! ## Special abilities - **Escape Artist Tail:** Giant Ameiva can shed its tail when grabbed by a predator because of a special break point that helps them escape danger. - **Speedy Digger:** Giant Ameiva can quickly dig burrows and hide under leaf litter because of their strong claws that helps them find shelter. - **Sun Lover:** Giant Ameiva has a high tolerance for heat that helps them stay active and hunt in hot, open environments where others hide. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-55 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.75 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-8 - **Incubation:** 50-70 days ## Diet & Feeding They are omnivores that munch on insects, spiders, and even sweet fruits found on the ground. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Berries, Ants, Beetles, Small lizards - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Roadside Hawk (*Rupornis magnirostris*) — A common bird of prey that hunts reptiles. - **Eaten by:** Boa Constrictor (*Boa constrictor*) — This large snake preys on various vertebrates including lizards. - **Eaten by:** Argentine Black and White Tegu (*Tupinambis merianae*) — Larger lizards sometimes opportunistically prey on smaller ameivas. - **Hunts:** Leafcutter Ant (*Atta cephalotes*) — The ameiva actively forages for these and other ground insects. ## Traits - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch lizards from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Giant Ameiva? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Giant Ameiva? 30-55 cm ### How much does Giant Ameiva weigh? 0.15-0.75 kg ### How long does Giant Ameiva live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Giant Ameiva move? 20 km/h ### What does Giant Ameiva eat? They are omnivores that munch on insects, spiders, and even sweet fruits found on the ground. ### Where is Giant Ameiva usually found? Grasslands ### How does Giant Ameiva hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Bay Shore Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bay-shore-historic-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Deerfield Beach Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/deerfield-beach-arboretum) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Downtown Miami Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-miami-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Fruit and Spice Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fruit-and-spice-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Monkey Jungle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monkey-jungle) — Florida, US · Zoo [View all places to see Giant Ameiva](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/giant-ameiva) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Giant Ameiva: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/giant-ameiva)