Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently acquired a lizard called a "forest iguana" by the dealer from which it came. The animal is a small, green lizard, similar in appearance and size between a cone-headed lizard (Laemanctus longipes) and a smaller chameleon. It has no head casque, though, no spines at all on the head, neck, or back, and not as thin or gangly as a cone-headed lizard, and not quite as large as an adult cone-headed - the body is only about 4" long. The tail is extremely long, perhaps 8-10"? She is light green, with a whitish, cream-colored belly, and a thin black line running the length of the head on each side and bisecting the eye.

I have little hope for this poor girl, as she is severely emaciated and severely gravid. She's relatively active, though, and drinking at least. I'm trying to ID the exact species, and see if there is any captive care information, egg incubation information (if she's strong enough to lay), or at least find out their native habitat. If you've heard of a lizard called a "forest iguana" and know the species, or know of anyone has kept one alive for more than a few months or ever hatched eggs, please let me know. I'll try to get a picture tomorrow.

Someone on another list said that Liolaemus sylvanae (a.k.a. Vilcunia silvanae) is sometimes called a forest iguana. Does anyone have a picture of this species? I haven't been able to find a picture of one on the net.

Right now I can tell you what I think it's not. I don't think it's Calotes, although it looks slightly like Calotes maria, minus the spines and with the coloring described above. There is a picture of C. maria here, if someone would lke to take a look. http://www.bio.utexas.edu/grad/sp/MI2/

Katrina

if she is that gravid a ver check is necessary to see if she is indeed strong enough to lay. he can give her meds that can help get her back on track. make sure you take her to a GOOD herp vet.
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1.0.1 Green Iguana Andy and Vernie
0.2.0 Cats April and Sugar
1.0.0 German Shepard Dog Router
0.0.50 Fish
And lots of rescues waiting to find homes...

fits the Polychrus marmoratus, a member of the anole family. I've never heard them called a Forest Iguana but they have been called many-colored anoles or Peruvian Monkey Lizards. I've tried to keep these lizards on a couple of occasions without much luck. The first one I acquired was a gravid female that died a week after laying 4 eggs. I then acquired a group of 3 that did well for several months and then passed away one by one. I could find very little information on these lizards but was told to keep them similar to a Mountain Horned Dragon.... not too hot, higher humidity especially at night, insectivorious diet.

Here are some photos. I've also seen some with some yellow striping along the back.

Bless you! That's her!

She's taking fluids, and doesn't seem dehydrated now, and even stalked down a small cricket this morning, but I'm afraid to offer too much food at this point because of her condition. She is SO gravid it hurts to look at her. I do have Panacur on hand, so once I'm certain that she's well-hydrated and has had a bowel movement, I'll give a light dose of Panacur (I have a gram scale, too).

I have her on a substrate of long-stem sphagnum moss, and will be adding a bowl of potting soil, too, to give her a choice of laying mediums. How big were the eggs relaive to the body?

Katrina

Do you think it's any coincidence that there were a number of pipa pipa frogs for sale at the same show from where I acquired the Ploychrus?

Katrina