English          -          Amazon Lava Lizard

Portuguese  -           Calango

Latin             -           Tropidurus torquatus

This photogenic lizard, also known as the Collared Lizard or the Neotropical Lizard is a native of south America and can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. It is one of the most widely distributed species of genus Tropidurus.

This lizard lives mainly in open habitat types, especially in the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests of South America. It may also be found in residential areas, where it is adept at climbing the walls of houses. It is mostly ground-dwelling though, living in termite nests, under rocks and logs. 

Males and females are marked differently. The male is usually much larger than the female, and its body is more brightly coloured and distinctly patterned. The average size of Tropidurus lizards varies greatly from habitat to habitat as does the pattern of body markings. Markings vary considerably, even among individuals of the same species. Like many lizards, they show changes of colour with mood and temperature.

The Amazon lava lizard will eat invertebrates and plant material though It favours ants. On plants it prefers the fruits and flowers. 

The male of the species is territorial. The male performs signalling behaviours such as head-bobbing and tail-whipping and exhibits aggressive behaviours such as chasing and fighting with other males. Larger, faster males tend to dominate higher-quality territories, such as those with many hiding places and abundant sunlight. Females prefer higher-quality territories and accept the males guarding them; a male may have access to a harem of several females in a good habitat. In reproduction the female may lay several eggs at a time, but a clutch of two is common, particularly in coastal areas. Clutch sizes may be larger in other geographical ranges.

Another notable behaviour is that it can run relatively quickly on its hind feet for a limited distance. It carries its body in an oblique position, lifting its hind-limbs high. It swings its forelimbs in phase with its hind-limbs, i.e. swinging its right forelimb as its right hindlimb comes up, and its left with its left.

The Amazon Lava Lizard has large numbers throughout its range so it is classifieds a “least concerned” species.

All photos of the Amazon lava lizard were taken on the way up Morro do Moreno. (Moreno Hill)