| Giant Hispaniolan Galliwasp | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Anguidae |
| Genus: | Celestus |
| Species: | C. warreni |
| Binomial name | |
| Celestus warreni Schwartz, 1970 |
|
| Synonyms | |
| Celestus carraui Incháustegui, Schwartz & Henderson, 1985 | |
The Giant Hispaniolan Galliwasp (Celestus warreni) is a species of lizard in the Anguidae family found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests underneath leaf litter and underneath forest debris. Giant galliwasp are opportunistic predators that feed on insects, earthworms, small mammals, and other reptiles. It is threatened by habitat loss, invasive species (such as the mongoose), and persecution. The galliwasp is erroneously believed to be venomous and is often killed on sight across the island.