Xenosaurus grandis

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Xenosaurus grandis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Xenosauridae
Genus: Xenosaurus
Species: X. grandis
Binomial name
Xenosaurus grandis
(Gray, 1856)

Xenosaurus grandis is a flat-bodied Mexican lizard that lives on the rainforest floor. Its skin is covered with granules and tubercles, and it primarily eats winged termites and ants.

These powerful, strong-limbed lizards have flat heads and robust bodies. They are inconspicuous creatures and are not often seen, spending much of their time in refuges beneath tree roots or in rocky crevices. They will also lie in water for long periods. Active at night, they feed on insects, particularly winged termites and ants. Their primary predator is the eagle. When alarmed, Xenosaurus adopts a threat posture, with mouth agape, revealing a black membrane. The female gives birth to litters of 3 fully formed live young, which are about 4 cm (1 1/2 in) long at birth.

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