AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Ameiva festiva
Middle American Ameiva
Lichtenstein & Martens, 1856
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
An elegant and slender reptile with a characteristic dorsal coloration: a light vertebral band that contrasts with dark flanks often adorned with bluish spots or stripes. Its head is pointed and aerodynamic, ideal for navigating at high speed through the dense tropical leaf litter.
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Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Reptilia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Squamata
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Teiidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Ameiva
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Lichtenstein & Martens, 1856
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
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Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Insectivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits the understory of humid forests, gallery forests, and disturbed areas with vegetation cover. It prefers areas with filtered sunlight reaching the ground for thermoregulation before beginning its foraging activity.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Active during the day, the *Ameiva festiva* spends almost all its time on the ground searching for prey. It is highly territorial during the mating season, where males perform color displays and chases to defend their domains.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary, except during the breeding season. It does not interact socially in a complex way, its encounters being limited to territory defense or mating rituals.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Active forager. Uses smell to track prey in leaf litter and then digs with its forelimbs to extract hidden insects.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Generalist secondary consumer. Feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates, including grasshoppers, larvae, spiders, and termites. It plays a fundamental role in regulating arthropod populations on the forest floor.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Oviparous species. The female lays its eggs in nests excavated in humid and protected places under the ground or logs. There is no parental care.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
15.0 - 25.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
15 g - 45 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.3 - 8
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
1 - 2 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
2 - 3
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males4 - 7 Years
Females4 - 7 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
The male is remarkably more colorful, featuring lateral bands of intense electric blue and a belly often with bluish tones. Its head is more robust compared to the female.
Females Multi-lang
The female has more muted colors, with brown and ocher tones predominating, which provides better camouflage among the forest floor while carrying out its activities of searching for nesting sites.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Escape Speed: The *Ameiva festiva* is famous for its ability to run in extremely fast bursts using its strong hind limbs, making it a difficult target for most terrestrial predators.
Sensory Bifid Tongue: Like other teiids, it uses its deeply bifid tongue to collect chemical particles from the air and soil, processing them in the vomeronasal organ to locate prey hidden in the leaf litter.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Habitat Loss: Massive deforestation in the Central American corridor reduces the forest patches necessary for their thermoregulation and foraging.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Despite their restless nature during the day, they are experts at finding crevices and tunnels in the ground where they spend the night in a state of deep lethargy.