ST. CROIX GROUND LIZARD Ameiva polops (Cope) 



Order: SQUAMATA Family: TEIIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A swift-moving, long-headed ground lizard; not 

 shiny; longitudinally striped. 



Present distribution : The beach at Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; 

 Protestant and Green Cays, off the coast of St. Croix; 16 specimens introduced on 

 Buck Island off northeastern corner of St. Croix by R. Ruibal and R. Philobosian 

 in 1968. 



Former distribution : Throughout St. Croix and on Buck Island. 



Status : Scarce. 



Estimated numbers : About 30 sur\dve at Frederiksted, about 50 on Protestant Cay, and 

 perhaps 100 on Green Cay. Introduced population on Buck Island still surviving and 

 increasing in numbers, in September 1970 (R . Ruibal, pers. comm . ) . A relatively large 

 population is reportedly present on Sandy Point at the western end of St. Croix. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Unknown; Ameiva usually lay a small clutch of 2 to 8 eggs, 

 but the frequency is not known. 



Reasons for decline : A victim of mongoose predation and commercial development of 

 areas where found. 



Protective measures already taken : None intentionally; however, the sidewalks and 

 other concrete pads poured along the Frederiksted beach have provided an area for the 

 lizards to tunnel under that is impervious to mongooses . The National Park Service is 

 attempting to eliminate the mongoose from Buck Island. 



Measures proposed : The use of pesticides on the lawn and cultivated plants along the 

 Frederiksted beach should be discouraged. The species should perhaps be reintroduced 

 to Christiansted. 



Number in captivity : None known. 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown . 



References : 



Lazell, J. D., Jr. Massachusetts Audubon Society 01773. 

 Ruibal, R. (pers. comm., 1969). 

 Seaman, G. St. Croix (pers. comm.). 



Underwood, G. 1962. Reptiles of the eastern Caribbean. Caribbean Affairs 

 (New Series) 1:192 pp. 



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