Hoplocercidae are a family of lizards native to the tropical forests, woodlands and savanna-like habitats of Central and South America. Alternatively they are recognized as a subfamily, Hoplocercinae. 20 species in three genera are described.
Ctenosaura is a lizard genus commonly known as spinytail iguanas or ctenosaurs. The genus is part of the large lizard family, Iguanidae and is native to Mexico and Central America. The name is derived from two Greek words: κτενός, meaning "comb", and σαύρα, meaning "lizard".
Corytophanes is a genus of Neotropical lizards, commonly called helmeted iguanas or basilisks, in the family Corytophanidae. The genus contains three arboreal species and resides in tropical forests.
Enyalioides is a genus of lizards in the family Hoplocercidae. The genus is native to the northern part of South America and Panama.
Diplolaemus is a genus of lizards in the family Leiosauridae. The genus is endemic to southern South America.
Albert Karl Ludwig Gotthilf Günther, also Albert Charles Lewis Gotthilf Günther, was a German-born British zoologist, ichthyologist, and herpetologist. Günther is ranked the second-most productive reptile taxonomist with more than 340 reptile species described.
Erythrolamprus ocellatus, commonly known as the Tobago false coral snake, red snake, or doctor snake is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to the island of Tobago.
Ctenosaura pectinata is a species of moderately large lizard in the family Iguanidae. The species is native to western Mexico.
Ctenosaura quinquecarinata, commonly known as the Oaxacan spinytail iguana or the five-keeled spiny-tailed iguana is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae native to Central America.
Enyalioides groi, known commonly as Gro's manticore, Dunn's spinytail iguana, or Dunn's spinytail lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Hoplocercidae. The species is native to northwestern South America and Panama.
Ctenosaura hemilopha, also known as the Baja California spiny-tailed iguana, is a species of spinytail iguana endemic to Baja California. It is arboreal and primarily herbivorous, although it can be an opportunistic carnivore. Males may grow up to 100 centimeters (39 in) in length, while females are smaller, with a length of up to 70 centimeters (28 in). Five subspecies are currently recognized.
Enyalioides laticeps, the Amazon broad-headed wood lizard, is a dwarf iguanian lizard abundantly found in Amazonian rainforests. They are semi-arboreal and mostly live in forests. Other names for it include broad-headed wood lizards, Big-headed stick lizards, Guichenot's Dwarf Iguana, Amazon Forest Dragon, or Amazon Dwarf-Iguana. It is a small, ornamented lizard that grows up to 157 mm (0.5 ft) long and have very high vertebral crests along their backs. They change colors based on environmental factors. Amazon broad-headed wood lizards rely on rapid running to move around; however, they spend the vast majority of their time motionless, blending into the rainforest background, and ambushing prey. When attacked by predators, E. laticeps may stay motionless like a wood stick to avoid predation. When found by predators, it may suddenly spring into motion, quickly reatreting to burrows in the ground.
Microlophus grayii, also commonly known as the Floreana lava lizard, Gray's lava lizard, and Gray's Pacific iguana, is a species of lava lizard in the family Tropiduridae. The species is endemic to the Galapagos island of Floreana.
Liolaemus darwinii, also known commonly as Darwin's tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Euspondylus guentheri, also known commonly as Günther's sun tegu, is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The species is native to Ecuador, and has also been reported from Peru. It lives in lowland tropical and subtropical forest habitats. The specific epithet guentheri is in honour of Albert Günther, a German-born British zoologist. E. guentheri is mostly diurnal, spending time in low branches or basking on the ground. If threatened, it will run for cover.
Alopoglossus buckleyi, also known commonly as Buckley's shade lizard and Buckley's teiid, is a species of lizard in the family Alopoglossidae. The species is native to northwestern South America.
Enyalioides cofanorum, also known commonly as the Cofan woodlizard, Duellman's dwarf iguana, and lagartija de palo cofanes in Spanish, is a species of lizard in the family Hoplocercidae. The species is native to northwestern South America.
Enyalioides heterolepis, Bocourt's dwarf iguana, is a species of lizards in the genus Enyalioides, from Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Enyalioides microlepis, the small-scaled woodlizard or tiny-scale dwarf iguana, is a species of lizards in the genus Enyalioides, from Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Stenocercus guentheri, also known commonly as Günther's whorltail iguana and la guagsa de Günther in South American Spanish, is a species of lizard in the family Tropiduridae. The species is native to northwestern South America.
