Three other gekkonid lizards live in northeast Brazil. They are Lygodactylus klugei, very small, Phyllopezus pollicaris,
the largest, and Gymnodactylus geckoides, which is medium-sized like the Hemidactylus mabouia. They are not
venomous, are mostly nocturnal and can walk up even smooth vertical surfaces with ease.
In our yard, we often see two lizards - the bright green iguana, known as Camaleão in Brazil and the Tropidurus
torquatus, which is the one that met me on the stairs this morning. Both seem to enjoy teasing the dogs by resting
just out of their reach on the side or top of the wall, bobbing their heads up and down.
the largest, and Gymnodactylus geckoides, which is medium-sized like the Hemidactylus mabouia. They are not
venomous, are mostly nocturnal and can walk up even smooth vertical surfaces with ease.
In our yard, we often see two lizards - the bright green iguana, known as Camaleão in Brazil and the Tropidurus
torquatus, which is the one that met me on the stairs this morning. Both seem to enjoy teasing the dogs by resting
just out of their reach on the side or top of the wall, bobbing their heads up and down.
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Tim and Vicki Reiner ٠ C.P. 111 ٠ 56.300-000 ٠ Petrolina, PE ٠ BRAZIL
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Tim and Vicki Reiner ٠ C.P. 111 ٠ 56.300-000 ٠ Petrolina, PE ٠ BRAZIL
Email: timandvicki@inafarplace.com Website: http://www.inafarplace.com
| Tim & Vicki Reiner In A Far Place |
| Creature Feature |
Lizards of the Sertão
| Baptist Mid-Missions do Brasil |
I have read that there are over 230 kinds of lizards in Brazil;
another site says there are 365, one for every day of the year. We
have not seen them all, but several are constantly seen as we go
about our daily tasks, even inside our home!
This morning as I started down the stairs to feed the cats, I ran
right into a large guy who was about 10 inches (25 cm) long. I
backed right back up the stairs to find something to push him down
where he could escape. By the time I found something, one of the
cats had chased him behind a door out of sight. I suspect that was
the very cat that carried this lizard into the house. Resident lizards
are not allowed to stay!
another site says there are 365, one for every day of the year. We
have not seen them all, but several are constantly seen as we go
about our daily tasks, even inside our home!
This morning as I started down the stairs to feed the cats, I ran
right into a large guy who was about 10 inches (25 cm) long. I
backed right back up the stairs to find something to push him down
where he could escape. By the time I found something, one of the
cats had chased him behind a door out of sight. I suspect that was
the very cat that carried this lizard into the house. Resident lizards
are not allowed to stay!
Our children have tried raising iguanas but without
success. These iguanas can grow to between 9"
and 18" (23 and 45 cm) head/body length and just
over 2 1/2 to 8 1/2 lbs (1.2 to 4 kg) in weight. The
males are bigger. They like to be near a water
source and leafy area where they can quickly hide.
We sometimes see one big guy sunning himself on
the top of our wall or in the green grass in the
backyard thermoregulating early in the day.
We have only seen one or two at one time in our
yard. We have not observed nesting sites. During
the dry season, iguanas mate, then a month or so
later, the females lay their eggs (14 – 76) in burrows
which incubate for 3 months. The hatchlings emerge
at the beginning of rainy season when the sertão
turns green again, perfect timing in our semi-arid
climate for these herbivores. Fewer than 3% of
iguana hatchlings survive beyond one year.
By the way, we do not kill lizards on purpose
because they eat several of our enemies – flies and
mosquitoes! In order to keep them out from under-
foot, I do try to scoot the larger lizards out the door.
success. These iguanas can grow to between 9"
and 18" (23 and 45 cm) head/body length and just
over 2 1/2 to 8 1/2 lbs (1.2 to 4 kg) in weight. The
males are bigger. They like to be near a water
source and leafy area where they can quickly hide.
We sometimes see one big guy sunning himself on
the top of our wall or in the green grass in the
backyard thermoregulating early in the day.
We have only seen one or two at one time in our
yard. We have not observed nesting sites. During
the dry season, iguanas mate, then a month or so
later, the females lay their eggs (14 – 76) in burrows
which incubate for 3 months. The hatchlings emerge
at the beginning of rainy season when the sertão
turns green again, perfect timing in our semi-arid
climate for these herbivores. Fewer than 3% of
iguana hatchlings survive beyond one year.
By the way, we do not kill lizards on purpose
because they eat several of our enemies – flies and
mosquitoes! In order to keep them out from under-
foot, I do try to scoot the larger lizards out the door.
The most common one is the Hemidactylus mabouia, or Mediterranean gecko. This one seems to have no trouble
living right alongside people. In fact, they say, and we have observed, that this particular gecko is resident in every
room in our house. This cute little translucent creature will drop off his tail if it will help him escape. The tail continues
flipping back and forth on the floor for a few minutes after he has disappeared out of sight! Innumerable times, we
have accidentally discovered a clutch of their two tiny hardshell eggs on a shelf by knocking them off onto the floor -
shaped like a chicken egg, but only about 3/8" (8-10 mm) in length. Several times, the kids saved the eggs and put
them into a small container to await the hatchlings.
living right alongside people. In fact, they say, and we have observed, that this particular gecko is resident in every
room in our house. This cute little translucent creature will drop off his tail if it will help him escape. The tail continues
flipping back and forth on the floor for a few minutes after he has disappeared out of sight! Innumerable times, we
have accidentally discovered a clutch of their two tiny hardshell eggs on a shelf by knocking them off onto the floor -
shaped like a chicken egg, but only about 3/8" (8-10 mm) in length. Several times, the kids saved the eggs and put
them into a small container to await the hatchlings.
| H. mabouia egg compared to chicken egg |
Photo by Sandra Nunes