Caiman Lizard - TheLiving Encyclopedia

Dracaena, is a genus of lizards, also commonly called caiman lizards or water tegus, in the family Teiidae, along with tegus and ameivas. Caiman lizards are native to South America, where they are found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. These semiaquatic lizards spend a lot of time in the water and inhabit marshes, streams, and flooded forests. Caiman lizards often bask on branches overhanging the water.

📌 Classification

===Extant Species=== Listed alphabetically. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Image !! Scientific name !! Common name !! Distribution |- | || Dracaena guianensis |northern caiman lizard or Guyana caiman lizard || Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Brazil. |- | || Dracaena paraguayensis |Paraguayan caiman lizard || Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia. |- |}

📌 Fossils

* †Paradracaena colombiana - the Middle Miocene (Laventan) Honda Group, Colombia

📌 Captivity

Caiman lizards are kept in private collections, but they are not yet kept in large numbers due to their tendency to only accept snails and their high price. Additionally, caiman lizards are arboreal, aquatic and burrowing, so suitable enclosures are usually only made by zoos. Caiman lizards born in captivity have been known to take a variety of food items, including snails, fish, cat food and crustaceans. Their temperament is comparable to that of a tegu.

Quick Facts

Common Names:

Caiman Lizard, Northern Caiman Lizard, Guyana caiman lizard, Armoured Teyou, Croco-Teju, Four-foot Caiman, Guyanan Caiman Lizard, Jacuruxi, Northern caiman lizard, Armoured Teju, Guyana Caiman Lizard, Northern Water Tegu

Class:

Lepidosauria

Data Completeness:

100%

Data Sources

🌍gbif

📚itis

📖wikipedia

🔬eol

🦎inaturalist

References

All references are verified for authenticity. We prioritize peer-reviewed studies, reputable databases (iNaturalist, GBIF), and established encyclopedias.

Distribution Statistics

10

Observations

9

Countries

Top Locations

Parinari District, 16570, Peru

1

Providencia, Quito, Ecuador

1

Loreto, Perú

1

Utinga State Park, Belém, Belém, Pará, Brazil

1

Francisco de Orellana, Ecuador

1

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First: 10/17/2010 · Latest: 2/20/2026