Leiocephalus carinatus, commonly known as the northern curly-tailed lizardorsaw-scaled curlytail, is a speciesoflizard in the family Leiocephalidae (curly-tailed lizard).[2]
Adults may attain a snout to vent length (SVL) of 10.5 cm (4.1 in), or a total length, including the tail, of 26 cm (10 in). The dorsal scales are keeled and pointed. L. carinatus resembles lizards of the genus Sceloporus, but with the tail usually curled upward, especially when the lizard is in a horizontal position on rocks or on the ground.[5]
An active, robust lizard, it is mostly terrestrial and will retreat into a burrow or cavity when frightened. It prefers sunny areas with loose rubble and rock. In the Cayman Islands a large captured specimen was observed to consistently burrow completely under the sand in a holding tank, even though a rock retreat was provided. The lizard also "played dead" when handled and remained completely motionless for a short while after being put down.
Leiocephalus carinatus utilizes tail curling as an antipredator measure when being chased. This behavior is predominantly seen when the predator is distant, as it is an attempt to intimidate would-be pursuers; when the predator is close however, the lizard instead seeks immediate refuge.[6]
^Smith, H.M., and E.D. Brodie, Jr. 1982. Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. ISBN0-307-13666-3. (Leiocephalus carinatus, pp. 132-133.)
^Cooper, W. E. (2001), Multiple Roles of Tail Display by the Curly‐Tailed Lizard Leiocephalus carinatus: Pursuit Deterrent and Deflective Roles of a Social Signal. Ethology, 107: 1137-1149. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0310.2001.00754.x
^Schwartz, A., and R. Thomas. 1975. A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Special Publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Leiocephalus carinatus, pp. 127-129.)
Gray, J.E. 1827. A Description of a new Genus and some new species of Saurian Reptiles; with a Revision of the Species of Chameleons. Philosoph. Mag. Ann. Chem. Math. Astron. Nat. Hist. Gen. Sci.2 (9): 297–214. (Leiocephalus carinatus, p. 208.)
