# Northern Curly-tailed Lizard (*Leiocephalus carinatus*) The Northern Curly-tailed Lizard is a small, colorful lizard that loves to bask in the sun. It has a curly tail that helps it balance and look extra cute! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 28 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Northern Curly-tailed Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Leiocephalus_carinatus_armouri_tree_cool.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ianaré Sévi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leiocephalus_carinatus_armouri_tree_cool.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Curly-tailed Lizard has a long, strikingly curled tail that spirals upwards. Its body is typically brown or gray with dark crossbands, and males often display iridescent blue or green on their heads and throats, making them distinctive from other local lizards. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Family:** Leiocephalidae - **Genus:** Leiocephalus ## Interesting facts - Males do push-ups to show off and defend territory. - Their tails often spiral like a corkscrew! - These lizards are not native to Florida, they were introduced! - They can sometimes drop their tails to escape danger. ## Special abilities - **Tail Signal:** Northern Curly-tailed Lizard can curl its tail high because this unique posture helps them communicate their presence and territorial claims to rivals. - **Sun-Powered Dash:** Northern Curly-tailed Lizard can warm up fast because their dark scales quickly absorb sunlight, giving them energy for hunting and escaping. - **Quick Getaway:** Northern Curly-tailed Lizard can run incredibly fast because long, powerful hind legs provide bursts of speed to evade predators swiftly. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-6 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding These lizards are opportunistic eaters, munching on a variety of insects and sometimes even small plants! - **Primary Foods:** crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, small fruits, flowers - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Feral and pet cats frequently hunt them. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Birds of prey are common predators. - **Hunts:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — They opportunistically prey on smaller lizards. - **Eats:** [Oriental Cockroach](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oriental-cockroach) (*Blatta orientalis*) — Commonly consumes various insect species. ## Traits - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [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. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [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 from a distance and don't try to catch them; they are best left in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Curly-tailed Lizard? Compare scales, body proportions, legs, tail and shell, if there is one. Many reptiles change their look with age, temperature or breeding condition. Reptile Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern Curly-tailed Lizard? 18-30 cm ### How much does Northern Curly-tailed Lizard weigh? 0.02-0.05 kg ### How long does Northern Curly-tailed Lizard live? 3-6 years ### How fast can Northern Curly-tailed Lizard move? 25 km/h ### What does Northern Curly-tailed Lizard eat? These lizards are opportunistic eaters, munching on a variety of insects and sometimes even small plants! ### Where is Northern Curly-tailed Lizard usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Northern Curly-tailed Lizard hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Flamingo Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/flamingo-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Miami Beach Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/miami-beach-botanical-garden) — US · Botanical Garden - [Key West Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [American Orchid Society Visitors Center and Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-orchid-society-visitors-center-and-botanical-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Bay Shore Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bay-shore-historic-district) — Florida, US · Historic District [View all places to see Northern Curly-tailed Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-curly-tailed-lizard) ## 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: [Northern Curly-tailed Lizard Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-curly-tailed-lizard)