Microteiids: Gymnophthalmidae

Microteiids live in southern Mexico, in Central America, on the Caribbean islands, and throughout much of South America, where they reach as far south as north-central Argentina.

The microteiids live in tropical forests, often by water. They usually stay out of sight under piles of leaves, beneath logs, or in other hiding places and will often dive into the water to escape predators (PREH-duhters), or animals that hunt other animals for food.

These lizards are mainly active during the day and spend much of their time rooting around in leaves and along the ground to find their favorite food insects. They see and smell well and likely use these characteristics to help them find food and to escape predators.

People and microteiid lizards rarely come across one another. Sometimes, however, people unknowingly dig in their habitat and can harm the lizards.

These species are not considered endangered or threatened, but scientists know little about them. Because they live along the ground, however, and sometimes in very small areas, habitat destruction can wipe out entire populations.