There are more than 100 different Amazon Rainforest lizards. Too, you’ll love my Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon page.
Today we are focusing on 10 of the more well-known ones.
There are fierce hunters, those with beautiful changing skin, swimmers, stalkers, night creepers, and fascinating.
One thing you know about the Amazon rainforest is that it is going to have the most beautiful and amazing creatures in its lush greenery.
We are doing a super fun craft as well, taking a few discarded items and turning them into a cute replica of the beautiful and fascinating green iguana found in the Amazon Rainforest.
I highly suggest taking a field trip to a larger pet store and seeing just how many of the Amazon lizards below you can spot.
5 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts
- Green Iguana – Iguana can grow as large as 6 feet long and weigh almost 18 pounds, with an average of around 9-12 pounds. They are the largest of all the lizards in the Amazon. They can be brownish, orange, gray, lighter or dark green, or even black.
- Amazon Bark Anole – Ambush predators that feed on insects found on the trunks and large limbs of large trees like ants, wasps, beetles, and roaches. Their skin closely resembles the markings of tree bark and can change color on top to help blend in more, this is their main defense mechanism.
- Crocodile Tegu- A semi aquatic lizard that has a flattened, paddle-like tail and is found in the Amazon Basin. This lizard feeds on arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
- Bridled Forest Gecko- Scurry around the base of trees and in the tree litter. They can be diurnal if they have artificial lighting at night.
- Collared Tree Runner- AKA Plica umbra, AKA Jewel of the Amazon is a beautiful species of lizard that looks very chameleon-like, with its array of green, tan, and brown scales. Males have a bright yellow throat, and they are found on branches and tree trunks.
5 More Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts
- Basilisk Lizard-These amazing Amazon dwellers can run at speeds of up to 15 mph and can run on the surface of the water without sinking.
- Chameleons- These famous reptiles are known for their ability to change their skin color. They have prehensile tails and feet that split at nearly a 180-degree angle which allows them to have a superior grip on the branches where they live.
- Caiman Lizard- Can grow to2 to 4 feet and up to 10 pounds. They are a semiaquatic species and spend part of their time in the water, an interesting adaptation is a third, clear eyelid that acts like a goggle when submerged.
- Banded Tree Anole- These lizards are found at the tops of the tallest Amazon trees and are strictly arboreal and have excellent skin camouflage.
- Turnip Tailed Gecko- At not quite 5 inches these lizards are one of only 2 nocturnal lizards. It has flaps of skin that act as a parachute when they jump from trees.
Then, look at some of these resources for a fun study about lizards.
Amazon Rainforest Lizards Resources
Grab a reference book like Lizards of the World to find out more about Amazon Rainforest Lizards and others.
A lavishly illustrated overview of the world’s lizards. Lizards are one of nature’s great success stories: survivors from the time of the dinosaurs, they have taken advantage of almost every habitat on earth, from tropical rainforest to Arctic tundra and even our homes. From chameleons and skinks to geckos and iguanas, there are close to 7,000 species of lizards around the world. This expert guide explores their extraordinary diversity and adaptations.Lizards of the World features an in-depth introduction covering the evolution, anatomy, and lifestyle of lizards, followed by profiles of species from every family, accompanied by stunning color photographs. This invaluable guide highlights the enormous range of habitats, appearance, and activity among lizards. Many thrive in extreme conditions, and have adapted to keep cool, warm, or hydrated. Some can protect themselves by changing color to blend in with their surroundings, while others have fringed toes enabling them to run across sand, or can parachute out of a predator’s reach. Covering diet and reproduction as well as defense strategies and conservation, Lizards of the World showcases the unique natural history and beauty of these remarkable creatures.
Check out this gorgeous Iguana statue for the garden.
MULTIPLE SHAPES: These wild reptile lizard toys come in 12 styles and colors and measure 3.1-5.2 inches.
GET TO KNOW NATURE: Each toy lizard toy has a detailed texture and unique pattern, the lifelike shape can well let children feel the magic and beauty of nature.
Nature Anatomy and Wildlife Anatomy are wonderful resources for many nature topics, I did find lovely illustrations with chameleons and anoles included as well as a bit on the rainforest itself.
Amazon Rainforest Animal Activities
Also, look at more Amazon Rainforest animal activities.
- How to Make A Fun Origami Frog Amazon Rainforest Craft
- Fun Easy Amazon Rainforest Crafts and Make a Bubble Wrap Pattern Anaconda
- Learn About Mammals In The Amazon Rainforest & Make an Adorable Sloth Craft
- Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest and Fun Symmetry Craft
- Amazon Rainforest Predators and Make a Fun Pasta Emerald Tree Boa
- Beautiful And Colorful Amazonian Rainforest Animals Lapbook For Kids
- Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
Finally, look at this fun Amazon Rainforest lizards iguana craft.
How to Make an Iguana Lizard Craft
We are making an iguana with some beautiful orange and green coloring, but you can opt for any of the iguana colors that you wish for your craft.
You will need:
- One paper towel roll.
- Two toilet paper rolls.
- Orange craft foam
- Green paint
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- 2 craft sticks
Cut up the center of one end of the paper towel roll about five or 6 inches and wrap it around itself to create a tapered end. Use hot glue to secure the taper in place.
Hot glue the tail by inserting the intact end of your paper towel roll inside the first toilet paper roll. Repeat, adding the second toilet paper roll.
Squeeze together the end of the toilet paper roll and glue it to create a mouth.
Cut two popsicle sticks into three equal pieces. Hot glue, the rounded ends onto the sides of your iguana for legs.
Paint the entire thing green and set it aside to dry.
While you’re waiting for your paint to dry, cut an orange fringe the length of the paper towel roll (dorsal crests) out of orange craft foam, four orange feet, and the dewlap hanging under its neck.
Once the paint has dried you can hot glue the fringe on the back.
Glue the dewlap under the neck portion into place.
Add the orange feet that you cut onto the bottom of the green craft stick legs and glue.
Use a black marker or paint to add more details like eyes, nostrils, stripes, etc.
You can take your iguana on adventures outdoors or display him in the house as you learn about Amazon Rainforest lizards.
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