Southern grumbler
A species of Pristidactylus Scientific name : Pristidactylus torquatus Genus : Pristidactylus
Southern grumbler, A species of Pristidactylus
Scientific name: Pristidactylus torquatus
Genus: Pristidactylus
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Dinesh Valke , used under CC BY-SA 2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Pristidactylus torquatus, commonly known as lagarto de bosque, the southern grumbler, or the forest lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. The specific name is derived from the Latin "torquatus" meaning wearing a twisted collar or necklace. This species is endemic to the BÃo BÃo Region, the AraucanÃa Region and the Los Lagos Regions of Chile.
General Info
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Southern grumbler primarily feeds on arthropods. Specific dietary items often include insects, spiders, and snails. It captures a variety of prey using a rapid, sudden strike, highlighting its opportunistic feeding behavior.
Appearance
Southern grumbler is a medium-sized lizard. Its robust body is covered in rough, keeled scales, predominantly brownish-gray in color, with dark banding around its neck and torso. This lizard boasts a large head, sharp claws, and a thick, tapering tail. No significant differences occur in the appearance between genders, ages, or subspecies.
Behavior
Southern grumbler is a solitary species. During the day, they are typically seen soaking up the sun, preferentially on rocky terrains. Their large, aggressive jaws and swift lunge movements, used for hunting insects and small vertebrates, display their territorial nature. Particularly unique to southern grumbler is its ability to crack snail shells for food, indicating its foraging adaptation.
Photo By Dinesh Valke , used under CC BY-SA 2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Leiosaurs Genus
Pristidactylus Species
Southern grumbler