Some of the different types of Mexican lizard are the Mexican bearded lizard, the Mexican spiny-tailed iguana, and the Mexican plateau horned lizard. The Mexican collared lizard is another variety. Mexican collared lizards are sometimes referred to as ring-necked lizards. The gila monster is a lizard native to the southwestern United States as well as regions of Sonora, Mexico. All lizards belong to the class known as reptiles.
A type of lizard known as the pygmy alligator lizard is another type of Mexican lizard that got its name from its unique appearance. Its length and rough skin gives this lizard the appearance of an alligator. It is sometimes known as the Mexican alligator lizard. Most species of this lizard prefer to reside in vegetation such as tree limbs and other plants. This Mexican lizard can be found in mountain regions.
Mexican bearded lizards are large and may produce a venomous bite. This Mexican lizard is typically about 35 inches long (89 cm). They can live up to 25-35 years. Most bearded lizards live in the Sonora region of Mexico, although some originate from Guatemala. These lizards have been known to consume small animals, including mice and birds although their diet consists primarily of vegetation.
The other venomous lizard of the Mexican territory is the gila monster. These poisonous types of lizard originate from parts of Mexico as well as the Western United States. They prefer to dwell in soil and desert areas. These lizards also consume small birds and rodents. Smaller than its cousin, the Mexican bearded, Gila monsters are typically lighter in color.
The Mexican plateau horned lizard does not resemble a typical lizard in appearance. Somewhat more stout and full, it resembles a toad. This has become an endangered species due to capture and decline of their natural habitat. These types of lizard do not prefer sandy regions, but tend to dwell in areas with tall grass. The name of the horned lizard originates from the appearance of spiny horns on the skin.
Banded geckos are a type of lizard native to northwestern Mexico. These lizards may also be found in southwestern desert regions of the United States. They are small, averaging about 4 inches (10 cm) in length. Many people prefer to raise geckos as house pets as they are easily tamed. Desert banded geckos can live approximately 12-16 years.
If kept as a pet, a Mexican lizard such as a gecko requires proper housing in the way of tanks and a hiding place to retreat to. A lizard cage may also be used. A more suitable environment and one often recommended by experts, is something known as a vivarium. Proper heating is also necessary for these reptiles as they prefer a warm environment.
Can You Have a Mexican Mole Lizard as a Pet?
If you like the idea of having a pet that looks more like a worm than a reptile, the Mexican mole lizard might be for you. It is possible to have this "five-toed worm lizard" as a pet, although there are several reasons why you might not want to.
Hard To Find
Go to any pet shop in the United States, and you're not likely to find any Mexican mole lizards for sale. They are native to Baja California, Mexico. Fortunately, there are plenty there, and if you don't mind traveling to Mexico to search for them, it's legal to keep as many of these as you can collect. If you happen to find three or four of these reptiles, you can expect them to mate once a year about July.
Can Spread Bacteria
These reptiles are not aggressive or poisonous, and you can handle them, but they do have clamps and teeth that are loaded with harmful bacteria. Take care that you don't let your lizard touch you with its teeth, and don't let its clamps attach to your skin. You will come away with harmful bacteria you could spread to others.
Nocturnal, Antisocial and a Challenge To Feed
Mexican mole lizards prefer spending all of their time underground away from humans, and they sleep during the day. Also, they live one to two years at the longest, which will make it difficult to develop a lasting relationship. Still, with their dull pink to slightly gray skin and five-toed feet, they'd make an interesting addition to your pet collection.
Mexican mole lizards require a steady diet of insects, which can be burdensome for you to obtain. In the wild, they eat the critters found on and in the ground, like ants, termites and earthworms.
What Do New Mexico Lizards Eat?
Like the Mexican mole lizard, the New Mexico lizards search for food in the soil. As carnivores, they prefer the insects native to their home in the sandy prairie of Chihuahua, Mexico. They love to eat earthworms, insect larva, termites, grasshoppers, ants, beetles and moths, among others.
The New Mexico lizard, also known as the New Mexico whiptail because of its whiplike tail, would also be a fascinating addition to your collection. These reptiles are either brown or black and have seven yellow stripes running from their heads to their tails.
Like the Mexican mole lizard, New Mexico lizards aren't sociable. They're wary of humans, but the reverse is not true — in fact, these lizards claim the title as New Mexico's official state reptile.
How Do New Mexico Whiptail Lizards Reproduce Asexually?
Here's an interesting fact about this species: All New Mexico whiptails are female, and they don't need sperm to fertilize their eggs. While they will, from time to time, "mate" with other females, their eggs can grow and develop embryos without any help through a process known as parthenogenesis. This word is formed by two other Greek words: parthenos, meaning virgin, and genesis, meaning creation.
This species typically reproduce once a year during the summer months. A New Mexico whiptail lizard will lay about four eggs that hatch in eight weeks.