Monkey Tailed Lizard!

TL;DR

In Costa Rica, the Breaking Trail team discovers the monkey-tail lizard, an arboreal species known for its prehensile tail and unique behavior.

Transcript

(playful music) - Yes, look at that! That is a monkey-tail lizard. Holy cow! I just caught it moving out of the side of my eye. - [Voiceover] Whoa, look at its tail! - Holy mackerel, that is awesome! I have never caught one of these before. (theme music) Well folks, Breaking Trail is officially international. And our first location abroad is the be... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍸 The monkey-tail lizard has a unique prehensile tail that allows it to balance and hang from tree branches.
• 🦎 These lizards mainly inhabit tree canopies and are skilled climbers.
• 🧭 They are ambush predators, waiting patiently for their prey to pass by.
• 😃 Monkey-tail lizards have independent eye movement, similar to chameleons.
• 🐦 Predator threats for these lizards come mainly from birds of prey, such as hawks or eagles.
• ❣️ They primarily feed on small invertebrates and occasionally come down to the ground during heavy rainfall.
• 🕵️‍♀️ The males have smaller dewlaps and are smaller in size compared to the females.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of the monkey-tail lizard's tail?

The monkey-tail lizard's tail is prehensile and helps it balance on tree limbs and hang from branches, making it a skilled climber.

Q: What type of predators does the monkey-tail lizard encounter in its natural habitat?

Monkey-tail lizards are mainly at risk of being hunted by birds such as hawks or eagles due to their arboreal lifestyle.

Q: How does the monkey-tail lizard's behavior differ from that of the Cuban Knight Anole?

Unlike the Cuban Knight Anole, the monkey-tail lizard does not have a ridge of spines along its body and has different hunting strategies.

Q: Are monkey-tail lizards primarily active during the day or night?

Monkey-tail lizards are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. They may migrate to lower levels during big rains.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The team captures footage of a monkey-tail lizard, a species found in the tree canopies of Costa Rica.

• The lizard uses its prehensile tail to balance on tree limbs and hang from branches, making it an adept climber.

• Monkey-tail lizards are ambush predators, primarily feeding on small bugs and arachnids.