In the world of animals, the Curly-tailed lizard is a moderately sized lizard with a stout build. Its tough scales are rough in texture but glossy to stare at. Its vertebral row has, however, spiny scales. This lizard has either brown, gray, green, or a mix of two or more tints.
The species may have asymmetrical dark spots and stripes on its back. Its sides are lighter, and the belly is whitish-yellow. The lizard’s lips are pale, and the throat is lighter with a dark banded tail.
Top 4 Astonishing Facts About This Lizard
This reptile is famous as a curly-tailed animal because its peculiar tail curls upwards over its sternum when it comes to a stop. It is popular as an invasive species, as it was introduced to control sugarcane pests in Florida.
The male has a distinctive throat fan and a giant head. The female exhibits a more prominent tinge than its male counterparts. This is common when the female attains a gravid state (carrying young ones or eggs.)
Here are 4 astonishing facts about this lizard that are unheard of.
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Curly Tailed Lizards Has a Myriad Range of Diet
The taste bud of a Curly-tailed lizard is not limited to insects. The primary diet of this insectivorous is crickets, waxworms, grasshoppers, and mealworms. However, it feeds on other lizards, like Anole lizards.
Once in a while, they vociferously take flowers like the Beach Morning Glory and Railroad vine. The species also feed on green leafy vegetables, delicious fruits, small crustaceans, seeds, spiders, ants, and mosquitoes. Some males show cannibalistic characteristics when in captivity.
The Curly-tailed lizards only take chlorine-free water, and you will need to dust some calcium and vitamin supplements occasionally.
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The Curling and Uncurling Tail Is a Defense Mechanism
As their name suggests, this animal is easily identified by their curly tail. The Curly-tailed lizard abruptly jerks its tails upwards as a defensive mechanism to threaten its predators and other lizards. The male also curls their tail when fighting with another male to attract females.
The species can drop its tail when they need to escape and will grow a brand new-looking tail. Like most monitor lizards, the curly-tailed lizard is a patient predator. To catch their prey, the reptile first freezes and stays still until an unsuspecting prey gets close enough for an attack.
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Curly Tailed Lizards Are Super Adaptable
Curly-tailed lizards are primarily omnivorous but have been found chowing down on human food. This species has an indiscriminate palate, making it super adaptable to new habitats.
Their intrinsic inhabitants are areas with easy access to rocks that they use as shelters. These xerophilic (arid-loving) lizards are also found on sandy beaches, where they bury themselves after sunset to escape predators.
However, their increasing numbers in new residences spells disaster for the native animals in their local environment.
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Curly Tailed Lizards Are Crucial Part of Ecosystem
Curly-tailed lizards play an important role in the ecosystem. In the wild, they are not at the top of the food chain. They provide food for large predators like birds of prey and carnivores.
Predators like cats, rodents, and dogs are their primary threat. The rise in demand for curly-tailed pets has also endangered their population.
Conclusion
The intelligent and nimble reptile has no flashy shades but is attractive in its own quiet way. Its green or brown color camouflages well in the sand, allowing it to hide from predators. The lizard’s fancy dwelling beneath dead logs and a pile of rocks on the ground.
The species is a great climber and a fast-moving reptile that moves swiftly on any surface. They feed on almost anything, including greasy human food.
Unfortunately, such a diet has dire consequences of painful bloating for this reptile. Its wide range of diets translates to adapting and thriving easily in any foreign region.