Ameiva – Jungle-runners

Commonly known as jungle-runners or ameivas, this genus includes a group of sleek, fast, and energetic lizards found throughout Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean. Known for their incredible speed, alert behavior, and bold personalities, jungle-runners get their name from their habit of darting through forests and open spaces like tiny reptiles on a mission.

Ameivas are typically medium to large-sized lizards, with strong legs, long tails, and well-muscled bodies designed for sprinting. Their coloration varies by species and location, but many have bright blue or green flanks, striped or spotted backs, and a metallic sheen that glimmers in the sunlight. These colors are especially vibrant in males, often using their bold appearance to signal dominance or attract mates.

Their active and aggressive foraging style sets Ameivas apart from other similar lizards. Unlike more sit-and-wait predators, jungle-runners constantly patrol their territory, poking under leaves, rocks, and logs in search of insects, spiders, small vertebrates, fruits, and even carrion. They’re not picky eaters, and their opportunistic diet helps them thrive in a variety of environments — from tropical forests to beach scrublands and even urban parks. Their sharp eyesight and quick reflexes make them excellent hunters, and if threatened, they can vanish in a flash, leaving predators (and human observers) stunned by how fast they move.

Jungle-runners are also incredibly tough and resilient, often found basking on hot surfaces during the day and able to tolerate high temperatures and dry spells. Many species are diurnal (active during the day) and territorial, with males often chasing off rivals or performing head-bobs and tail flicks as warning signals. Some species are known to be socially tolerant, basking in loose groups or sharing feeding areas without too much conflict — as long as everyone respects the dominant lizard’s space.