Uranoscodon superciliosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Head and Body Structure

Uranoscodon superciliosus has a relatively small head. Its body and tail are laterally compressed, but not extremely flattened. It has a relatively long tail and relatively long legs.

Coloration and Frill

Its overall body color is brown. Adults have a frill surrounding their head, which gives the species its common name, mop-headed iguana.

Size and Maturity

The maximum snout-vent length of this species is roughly 16 centimeters (6.3 inches), and the tail is twice as long as the snout-vent length. Sexual maturity is reached when individuals have a snout-vent length between 9 and 11 centimeters (3.5 to 4.3 inches).

Geographic Distribution

Uranoscodon superciliosus is distributed across Amazonian regions of Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, eastern Venezuela, eastern Colombia, Bolivia, and northeastern Peru. In Peru, the species is only known from a single locality near the border between Colombia and Brazil, and it has never been recorded in Ecuador.

Habitat

This species lives in igapó and várzea flood forests, as well as in riparian areas of non-flooded terre firme forests.