Ameiva exsul is the largest member of of the Genus Ameiva in Puerto Rico and nearby Islands.
These two were photographed in the gardens of the Puerto Convention Center in San Juan prior to copulating. The male bites the female to position itself to introduce the hemipenis.
Body size in males haven been associated with better reproductive success, hence producing more offspring compared to medium and small sized individuals. In other words body size in males determines an advantage when they compete for females.
The female lay eggs that are normally buried and kept humid until they hatch. The animals feed on insects, other lizards and eggs, fungi and fruits.
References:
- http://www.kingsnake.com/westindian/
- Lewis A. R, Tirado G. and Sepulveda, J.; Body Size and Paternity in a Teiid Lizard (Ameiva exsul) Journal of Herpetology, Vol. 34, No 1, pp. 110-120, 200
