Nature Field Guide
Common Monkey Lizard
- Spanish name
- Lagartija de dosel
- Scientific name
- Polychrus gutturosus
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the common monkey lizard. Look at a reference photograph and mark the outline of the tail. Compare its proportions with a basilisk.
Species overview
About the Common Monkey Lizard
A slow-moving tree-dwelling lizard with a very long tail. Its appearance can resemble a chameleon, but monkey lizards belong to a different reptile group.
Identification
Key Features of the Common Monkey Lizard
Laterally flattened body.
Long limbs, toes and whip-like tail.
Greenish coloration and an expandable throat region.
Habitat & range
Primarily humid forest canopy. A documented Hojancha record extends coverage into Guanacaste, where persistent streamside vegetation provides a moist refuge within the dry landscape. Also documented at Reserva Los Campesinos in San Jose province. Regional occurrence depends on suitable wooded microhabitat.
Local observations
Recorded in Costa Rica. This profile describes suitable habitat, not a confirmed Tamarindo sighting or a guaranteed viewing location.
When to observe
Daytime, though foliage can make it difficult to notice.
Conservation & care
Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.
Observation activity
Look at a reference photograph and mark the outline of the tail. Compare its proportions with a basilisk.
Explore by location
Caribbean · Central Pacific · Guanacaste · Northern Plains · South Pacific · Guanacaste · San José