
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Abronia graminea
An arboreal anguid lizard ranging from bright emerald green to dark teal blue, with a snout-vent length of 10.6-11 cm, a tail of about 16 cm and a weight of around 21 g. Juveniles are tan with dark crossbands.
The Mexican alligator lizard (Abronia graminea) is an anguid lizard endemic to the highlands of the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca in Mexico. Adults are uniformly green above, males more vividly so, while females are duller with brownish, orange, yellow or white markings and dark transverse bands. Juveniles are tan with dark crossbands. It lives at 1,350-2,743 m in montane cloud forest and pine-oak forest, an arboreal species sheltering among bromeliads in the canopy. Its habitat is temperate and humid with summer rains and large daily temperature swings. It is viviparous, with a gestation of five to ten months and litters of one to twelve young depending on the size and age of the female; neonates measure about 3.2 cm snout-vent and reach about 4.8 cm by a year old. Habitat fragmentation from fire, deforestation and conversion to agriculture, together with illegal collection for the pet trade, have driven its decline, and the IUCN assesses it as Endangered.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Mexican Alligator Lizard lives 10-15 years.
The Mexican Alligator Lizard grows to SVL 10.6-11cm with a tail of about 16cm (around 21g).
Its snout-vent length is 10.6-11 cm, the tail about 16 cm, and it weighs around 21 g.
Origin
Mexico (central Veracruz, eastern Puebla and Oaxaca) at 1,350-2,743 m, in montane cloud forest and pine-oak forest, sheltering in bromeliads in the canopy
Lifespan
10-15 years
Sources: Reptile Database: Abronia graminea / Wikipedia (English) / Wikipedia (Spanish): Abronia graminea
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Abronia graminea (Cope, 1864)
Synonyms: Gerrhonotus gramineus Cope, 1864, Abronia taeniata graminea (Cope, 1864)
Authority databases: GBIF · Reptile Database
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Abronia spp. is listed in CITES Appendix II, effective 2 January 2017 (excluding species listed in Appendix I; wild individuals of A. aurita, A. gaiophantasma, A. montecristoi, A. salvadorensis, and A. vasconcelosii have zero export quota). As an Appendix II species, special international registration is not required. IUCN Red List assessment: Endangered (EN). It is not designated as a Special Animal under the Animal Welfare and Management Act nor as a Designated Invasive Species.
Sources: CITES Species+ (Abronia spp., Appendix II, effective 2 January 2017) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Size
SVL 10.6-11cm with a tail of about 16cm (around 21g)
Temperature
25〜32℃
Humidity
40〜70%
Carnivorous: a variety of insects
It lives in montane cloud forest at 1,350-2,743 m, in a temperate, humid climate with summer rains and large daily temperature swings. Reliable published husbandry figures for this species are scarce, so no numbers are quoted here, but assume it is intolerant of heat and provide cool, humid conditions with a clear day-night difference.
An arboreal species that shelters among canopy bromeliads, so use a tall enclosure furnished with branches and epiphytes to create retreats. Planting living bromeliads reproduces its natural resting sites and helps stabilise humidity. Design for good ventilation while holding humidity.
It feeds on a variety of insects. In captivity offer crickets, roaches and flies scaled to its size, dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements. Because it forages in the canopy, it responds better when food is offered at height.
Timid, spending long periods hidden in bromeliad axils and similar retreats. Avoid handling; this is a species for display and breeding rather than interaction. It is viviparous with a long gestation of five to ten months, so breeding demands sustained management.
Listed on CITES Appendix II as Abronia spp. since 2 January 2017, excluding the species on Appendix I, and with a zero export quota for wild specimens of A. aurita, A. gaiophantasma, A. montecristoi, A. salvadorensis and A. vasconcelosii. Being Appendix II, it needs no Japanese registration certificate. The IUCN assesses it as Endangered, with illegal collection for the pet trade cited as a threat, so it is important to choose animals of documented provenance. It does not appear on the schedule of designated dangerous animals under the Order for Enforcement of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals.
Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.
The average lifespan of Mexican Alligator Lizard is 10-15 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Mexican Alligator Lizard typically reaches SVL 10.6-11cm with a tail of about 16cm (around 21g) as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Mexican Alligator Lizard feeds on: Carnivorous: a variety of insects. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Mexican Alligator Lizard varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026