False monitor

The false monitor or tegú varano (Callopistes flavipunctatus) is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae.^[1] It is found in northern Peru and southern Ecuador.^[2]

False monitor
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Teiidae
Genus:	Callopistes
Species:	C. flavipunctatus
Binomial name
Callopistes flavipunctatus (Duméril & Bibron, 1839)

Description

The species can reach a total length of 100 cm. Males get larger than females and have more massive heads.^[2]

Like many other teiids, they are capable of dropping and regenerating their tails.^[2]

Diet

In Peru

Although data on their diet is scarce, what is known seems to indicate that species feeds on lizards, small rodents, and large insects, although Dicrodon lizards (such as D. guttulatum) may possibly represent the species' main prey. They have also been observed eating fruit, such as that of yellow cordia, as well as small birds such as Peruvian meadowlarks.^[2]

Ecology

Although it primarily forages for prey on the ground, it may occasionally climb trees as well.^[2]