Nature Field Guide
Four-lined Ameiva
- Spanish name
- Ameiva de cuatro líneas
- Scientific name
- Holcosus quadrilineatus
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “What clues help us recognize this reptile?”
Tati: “Let’s notice its shape, markings and habitat from a respectful distance.”
Species overview
About the Four-lined Ameiva
The four-lined ameiva has a slender body, long tail and pale stripes running along darker upperparts. Small side markings and the arrangement of the stripes help when comparing it with other ground lizards.
This species occurs in humid lowland habitats on both slopes. Published observations include animals on sandy ground at Cocles on the Caribbean coast. A lizard on open ground needs an escape route, so watch without chasing or surrounding it.
Identification
Key Features of the Four-lined Ameiva
Four pale longitudinal body stripes
Long slender tail
Small contrasting flank markings
Habitat & range
Humid Caribbean lowlands and suitable Pacific lowlands and edges; a field study documents Cocles, Limón.
Local observations
Native reptile recorded in Costa Rica. Presence varies with suitable habitat and locality.
When to observe
Visibility varies with weather, habitat and the animal’s activity. Observe on an appropriate guided outing; never disturb a hiding animal to obtain a sighting.
Conservation & care
Observe with an adult from permitted paths. Do not catch, chase, touch or feed reptiles. Leave bark, logs, rocks and leaf litter in place. Keep pets away and allow animals an open escape route.
Threats & pressures
Protect habitat connections and natural shelters. Avoid road mortality, collection and deliberate killing. Leave reptiles in their habitat rather than keeping or relocating them.
Observation activity
Trace the four main stripes in a reference photograph without counting small spots as extra stripes.
Explore by location
Caribbean · Central Pacific · Guanacaste · Northern Plains · Puntarenas & the Gulf Islands · South Pacific · Alajuela · Guanacaste · Heredia · Limón · Puntarenas