Spiny weapontail
A species of Weapontails Scientific name : Hoplocercus spinosus Genus : Weapontails
Spiny weapontail, A species of Weapontails
Scientific name: Hoplocercus spinosus
Genus: Weapontails
Content
Description General Info
Description
The Weapontail or Brazilian spiny-tailed lizard (Hoplocercus spinosus) is a lizard belonging to the monotypic genus Hoplocercus. It is found in the Cerrado and adjacent CerradoâAmazon mosaics in Brazil and Bolivia. It is a quite distantly related of the other members of Hoplocercinae, as it is believed to have diverged from these about 35 million years ago.
General Info
Lifespan
15-20 years
Diet
Spiny weapontail predominantly feeds on plant matter, with a special preference for leaves from various trees and shrubs. Foraging mainly in the lower levels of the forest, it also consumes fruits, flowers, and bark.
Appearance
Spiny weapontail is a medium-sized lizard with a bulky, robust body and rough, spiky skin. It is primarily dark brown, speckled with lighter brown or yellow patterns. Its most impressive feature is the arrangement of large, pointed scales down its back and tail, which gives it a spine-like appearance. No significant differences due to age, gender, or subspecies have been observed.
Behavior
Spiny weapontail is a solitude-oriented species, making minimal contact with others of its kind, except during mating periods. Due to its nocturnal nature, it exhibits vigilant foraging patterns at night, primarily hunting for insects. Its spiked tail is used to fend off predators, highlighting a distinct survival tactic in its environment.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Clubtails and wood lizards Genus
Weapontails Species
Spiny weapontail 
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