THE LIZARDS.
The Tropical Lizards.—Several families of lizards are represented among the specimens occupying the Reptile House, the Tortoise room and outside runways. Among these are the Iguanas, Tegus and Monitors.
Among the Iguanas are several large and interesting lizards. The largest of these is the Rhinoceros Iguana, (Cyclura cornuta), found in Hayti. Contrary to the general belief, but like all the Iguanas, it is partly carnivorous, though it feeds largely upon vegetables and fruit. This species receives its name from the presence of three well-defined horns upon the snout.
The Mexican Iguana, (Ctenosaura acanthura), looks unique in the possession of rings of sharp spines about the tail. Most specimens are jet black when adult, but very young examples are pale green.
The South American Iguana, (Iguana tuberculata), may be readily distinguished by the very pronounced fringe of erect spines which rise along the back-bone of male specimens, and also by the presence of a rounded tubercle or plate on each side of the head. This is a brightly colored Iguana, having bars of green, gray and black. It is strictly arboreal, and evinces stronger herbivorous habits than species of the allied genera. A large male specimen is seven feet long, but much of this length is taken up by the gradually tapering tail. In South America—on the Orinoco, at least—this species is considered edible, and the writer can testify that to a hungry man its flesh is excellent.
The very popular Horned “Toad”, (Phrynosoma), of the southwestern states, of which there are eight or nine species, should be mentioned if for no other reason than to place it where it belongs—with the lizards, and not with the toads.
The Tegus, (genus Tupinambis), are powerful lizards, growing to a length of four feet, and inhabiting tropical South America. They are fleet of foot, mainly carnivorous and very quarrelsome. It is impossible to keep any but the larger lizards in the yard with them. Tegus are fond of eggs, breaking the shell at one end and lapping up the contents by means of the very broad, forked tongue. They will also eat raw beef.
The Australian Monitor, (Varanus gouldii), is a good representative of a genus of large and powerful lizards confined to the Old World, where they occur in India, Malaysia, Africa and Australia. Monitors grow to a length of eight feet. They are swift runners, entirely carnivorous, and usually dwell in thick jungles. They are able to swallow entire an animal as large as a half-grown rabbit. All are fond of eggs, swallowing them without breaking the shell, which is soon dissolved by the powerful gastric juices.
Other Lizards.—Within the main halls of the Reptile House will be found various representatives of the smaller Lizards, a few of which may be mentioned.
The beautiful, emerald-colored Green Lizard, (Lacerta viridis), of Europe, is not only a handsome species, but it is also one of the most satisfactory to keep in a vivarium—a good feeder and always posing.
The famous Glass “Snake,” (Ophiosauris ventralis), is important because its resemblance to a snake is so perfect it is generally mistaken for one, although a true lizard. It is not, however, a “connecting link” between the lizards and the serpents.
Our well-known Gila Monster, (pronounced He-la) (Heloderma suspectum), is a stupid, slow-moving creature from the southwestern deserts, thick-set and stumpy in body, and it has the appearance of being covered all over with dark-brown-black, and yellow beads, such as Indians use in their bead industry. Its bite is sufficiently venomous that it inflicts a painful wound, but it is not necessarily fatal.
The Chameleon of the Old World, (Chamaeleo vulgaris), because of its color phases and its remarkable form, is truly a great “curiosity”; but it should not be confused with our so-called American Chameleon, which belongs to another Family, and is also less interesting.