Hispaniolan curlytail lizard


The Hispaniolan curlytail lizard, also known as the Hispaniolan khaki curlytail, the red-sided curlytail lizard, the red-sided curly-tailed lizard, or Schreibers's curly-tailed lizard, is a common lizard species in the family Leiocephalidae. It is native to Hispaniola in the Caribbean, and an introduced population is found in southern Florida. There are two recognized subspecies.

Taxonomy

Etymology

The specific name, schreibersi, is in honor of Austrian naturalist Carl Franz Anton Ritter von Schreibers.

Subspecies

Including the nominotypical subspecies, two subspecies are recognized as being valid.
  • Leiocephalus schreibersii nesomorus
  • Leiocephalus schreibersii schreibersii
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Leiocephalus.

Distribution and habitat

L. schreibersii is indigenous to the main island of Hispaniola, and Île de la Tortue. It is also found in Florida as an introduced species. The preferred natural habitat of L. schreibersii is shrubland at altitudes from sea level to.

Life cycle and behavior

L. schreibersii is oviparous.
L. schreibersii is active during the day. It feeds mainly on insects.