Polychrus marmoratus

Polychrus marmoratus or many-colored bush anole^[2] is a species of bush anole. It is also commonly referred to as the monkey lizard due to its slow movement.^[3] The lizard has many predators, including spiders and primates.^[4]

Polychrus marmoratus
Polychrus marmoratus in Guyana
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Polychrotidae
Genus:	Polychrus
Species:	P. marmoratus
Binomial name
Polychrus marmoratus Linnaeus, 1758

Description

Polychrus marmoratus weighs 101.19 grams.^[5] The lizard is 30 to 50 centimeters long. It has a blunt snout with large and smooth scales on the dorsal surface of the head.^[6] The scales on the flank and skin are smaller. The lizard is commonly brown or olive-grey. Blue or black spots may be present on the head. The neck is bluish, while the ventral region is whitish. Five or six "V-shaped bands" are present on the back.

The lizard hunts insects and spiders using an ambush method.^[7][8] It will also feed on flowers and seeds.^[9] The lizard inhabits semi-deciduous forests.

Distribution

The species is present in Guyana, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.^[10] The species has also been sighted in Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, and Florida.