St. Croix Ground Lizard
As happens with some anoles and other reptiles in the Caribbean, the St. Croix ground lizard is seriously endangered because of human encroachment and exotic predators. For all their speed and quick reflexes, a number of ameivas are easy prey to mongooses. On June 03, 1977, the St. Croix ground lizard was designated as endangered in the St. Croix area. There are currently only two islands where the St. Croix ground lizard, now extinct on St. Croix and listed as an endangered species, still exists -- Green Cay and Protestant Cay.
About the St. Croix Ground Lizard
Croix Ground Lizard is a small species of Ameiva that measures approximately 35 to 77 millimeters in snout-vent length (UFWA, 1992). The lizard is easily distinguished by its parallel longitudinal black, white, and light-brown stripes. Its belly is light gray with lateral blue margins, and pinkish undersides of legs, throat, and chest. Its tail also has alternating rings of blue and black. Currently, nothing is known of this species' reproductive biology.
Formerly, the St. Croix ground lizard was found exclusively on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and its offshore islands and cays (UFWA, 1992). Today, Green Cay and Protestant Cay, which are located off the north coast of St. Croix, are the only sites where this lizard is located. The population probably does not exceed 2,500 individuals on Green Cay and 50 on Protestant Cay.
The lizard's habitat consists of beach areas and upland forests of the Hippomane-Tabebuia woodland (UFWA, 1992). This lizard is drawn to exposed and canopied areas, leaf or tidal litter, loose substrate, and crab burrows. Currently, both Green and Protestant Cays have been designated as Critical Habitat for the St. Croix ground lizard, although protestant Cay provides less protection.
Research on the St. Croix ground lizard is limited, due to the rarity of the species. The lizard primarily eats amphipods (sandfleas) found in beach debris, small white moths taken from under the litter, and hermit...
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