Illegally Smuggled Species Of The Day:

The Northern Caiman Lizard is a species of lizard found in northeastern South America. It lives in swampy habitats and other wooded areas which are flooded. It is mostly aquatic and is an excellent climber. It spends most of it’s time basking on branches overhanging the waterways so that if trouble was to arise it would be a quick drop into the safety of the water. The body of the caiman lizard is very similar to that of a crocodile. Its typically a bright green with slight dark green banding. There are horned raised scales along the dorsal of the back. This helps to provide some protection against predators. These lizards can become up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 10lbs. This species was heavily hunted for their leather. In 1970 they were provided protection and the export of their hides dropped. Now local populations are safe where their habitat is protected. In recent years a number of these animals have found themselves in the pet trade. (Wiki.)

Photo by: true-wildlife.blogspot.com

Exotic Bird Eating Lizard by Garion

Illegally Smuggled Species Of The Day:

The Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) is a nocturnal arboreal gecko, ranging from northeast India and Bangladesh, throughout Southeast Asia, Philippines to Indonesia and western New Guinea. Its native habitat is rainforest trees and cliffs, and it also frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey. The Tokay Gecko is the second largest Gecko species, attaining lengths of about 30–40 cm (11–15 inches) for males, and 20–30 cm (7–11 inches) for females, with weights of only 150–300g (5–10 oz). They are distinctive in appearance, with a bluish or grayish body, sporting spots ranging from light yellow to bright red. The Tokay Gecko is quickly becoming a threatened species in The Philippines because of indiscriminate hunting. Collecting, transporting and trading geckos without a license can be punishable by up to twelve years in jail and a fine of up to 1,000,000 pesos under Republic Act 9147 in addition to other applicable international laws. (Wiki.)

photo by: themalaysianlife.blogspot.com

Phrynocephalus mystaceus is a species of agamid lizard found in Iran, North Afghanistan, Eastern Caucasus, Kazakhstan and possibly in south of Astrakhan Oblast. Not much information is available about this lizard, except for that when threatened, it exposes its cheek flaps. (text and photo by Wiki.)

Illegally Smuggled Species Of The Day:

 The Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko, is a species of gecko endemic to the island of Madagascar. It may also be known as the eyelash leaf tailed gecko or the fantastic leaf tailed gecko. It possesses a tail that much resembles a leaf, as well as long spines on the head, body and trunk. Some leaf tailed geckos even have notches in their tails to further mimic a decaying leaf.This is also thought to be a form of sexual dimorphism, as the trait seems more common in the males of the species. The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is known to occur in at least three nature reserves in Madagascar. However, illegal harvesting of leaf-tailed geckos is known to occur even within protected areas. (Wiki.)

photo by: animalspot.net

The Common Basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a lizard found in Central and South American rainforests near rivers and streams.The basilisk is part of the corytophanid family. It is also known as the Jesus Lizard, Jesus Christ Lizard, or Lagarto de Jesus Cristo for its ability to run on the surface of water. The Common Basilisk is found throughout Central and South America usually living in low elevations, from sea level to 600 m. In Costa Rica this basilisk can be found as high as 1,200 m in some places. Basilisks have large hind feet with scaly fringes on the sides of the third, fourth, and fifth toes. These are compressed against the toes when this lizard walks on land; but if the basilisk senses danger, they can jump into the water, opening up these fringes against the water’s surface. This increases the surface area of the foot, thus allowing them to run on the water for short distances. (Wiki.)

photo by documentingreality.com

Gecko

Invisible Alligator by Malikimran

Frilled Neck Lizard by Joshua Ets-Hokin/Corbis

Crocodile

Monitor Lizard

Parson’s Chameleon by Sibylle Stofer

Florescent Chameleon

Young monitor lizard after possibly eating bird egg