Holcosus festivus


Holcosus festivus, commonly known as the Central American whiptail, the Middle American ameiva, and the tiger ameiva, is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae. The species is native to Central America and northern South America.

Geographic range

H. festivus is found from southern Mexico to Colombia.

Description

H. festivus is brown-colored, with darker browns making a zig-zag pattern down the back. A similar species is Holcosus quadrilineatus. Juveniles have metallic-blue tails.

Habitat

H. festivus lives in open habitats.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Nota bene: A taxon author in parentheses indicates that the taxon was originally described in a different genus.

Etymology

The subspecific name, edwardsii, is in honor of French zoologist Alphonse Milne-Edwards.