One of the most extraordinary reptiles of the Andes, adapted to life among the rocks and ridges of high mountain landscapes in Argentina and Chile. Its body is broad and flattened, with earthy colors that blend into stone, while its rough, spiny tail gives it the look of a miniature dragon. This tail isn’t just for decoration—it’s a tool for defense, wedging the lizard securely into crevices so predators can’t pull it out. Living at high elevations, often in windswept, rocky plateaus, the Thorntail mountain lizard thrives where few animals dare to live, turning the extremes of its environment into a comfortable home.

Unlike many lizards, its close relative Phymaturus mallimaccii is strictly herbivorous and viviparous—giving birth to live young in a rugged environment where few reptiles thrive. It survives dramatic daily temperature swings, basking on rocks at more than 4,200 meters above sea level. With its limited range and striking yellow to reddish coloration, this microendemic lizard is both an ecological rarity and a conservation priority. Classified as Vulnerable, it faces severe threats from open-pit mining and habitat disturbance, and its survival depends on protecting the fragile high-Andean ecosystems of the Sierra de Famatina.

The Thorntail mountain lizard is primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, and seeds rather than insects. This plant-based diet is unusual among reptiles, especially in such barren landscapes, and it relies on long basking sessions to fuel its digestion. Even more unusual is its reproduction method: instead of laying eggs, females give birth to live young. This adaptation helps ensure survival in the cold, unpredictable Andean climate, where eggs would be vulnerable to freezing or drying out. Life for this lizard moves slowly—it grows gradually, reproduces infrequently, and can live for decades. This “slow and steady” lifestyle suits the rocky Andes, but it also makes the species sensitive to habitat changes.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Argentina

VU

2014

La Rioja