Rio Fuerte Beaded Lizard

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Physical Description

Rio Fuerte beaded lizards can reach up to 30 inches from head to tail. They have a broad, flat head and venom glands in their lower jaw. Their bodies are long and heavy and covered with bead-like scales that form yellow and black stripes. These long-clawed lizards are carnivorous, eating insects, small rodents, lizards, snakes, birds, and eggs. They become sexually mature after three or four year.

Interesting Fact 1

Rio Fuerte beaded lizards paralyze their prey with venom mixed into their saliva.

Interesting Fact 2

These lizards are frequently found in abandoned mammal burrows and near sources of permanent water.

Interesting Fact 3

They store fat in their tail, using it as a reserve energy source when food is scarce.