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Polychrus acutirostris

Polychrus acutirostris

Spix, 1825
Falso Camaleón

Family: Polychrotidae
Order: Squamata
Class: Reptilia
Phylum / Division: Chordata
Kingdom: Animalia

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Description


Polychrus acutirostris, the Brazilian bush anole, is a species of lizard native to southern and eastern Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and eastern Bolivia. It is diurnal.

 It is an oviparous animal with an arboreal habit, which inhabits a large part of South America. Its color becomes stronger during mating season, but it can also change to obtain better camouflage. Despite presenting several characteristics similar to those of "true chameleons", such as eyes that move independently and the ability to change color, the species does not belong to the same family as the Chameleon, but still has a level of kinship with the same, belonging to the same suborder: Sauria. Their diet basically consists of insects. The species is being threatened by habitat loss. With a calm temperament, it does not pose a danger to humans.

Another peculiar characteristic of the animal is the one that characterizes it by its popular name of "sloth lizard", its movements are slow, especially when compared to other reptiles that normally have agility in their locomotion. It tends to remain motionless most of the time to camouflage itself, which, along with its subtle ability to change color, is its greatest defenses. Its slow mobility, in addition to affecting its diet, makes it easy prey, possibly placing it in a group at risk of extinction.

A diurnal species, it usually lives in trees. The males of the species defend their territories. It is difficult to find, because of its ability to camouflage itself, being confused with the environment. Its reproduction is annual, females usually lay 7 to 31 eggs. To attract females, during the breeding season, males acquire a reddish color on their heads. It can be found in the Andes, from southern Pará to northern Argentina, in savanna formations.

Source: Wikipedia, article Polychrus acutirostris. Content adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. Accessed on 16/07/2026.





Geographic distribution


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Species photographs

Count: 13

Foto
Photography ID: 546754
  Adult

Parque Nacional Río Pilcomayo
Formosa
Argentina
07/20/2023
Elsa Longo
Foto
Photography ID: 512347
  Adult

Puesto "la Esperanza"
Formosa
Argentina
09/10/2022
Cristian Neumann
Foto
Photography ID: 278179
♂
  Adult

Burela
Salta
Argentina
11/24/2017
Pablo Scazzina
Foto
Photography ID: 18315
♂
  Adult

Bañado La Estrella
Formosa
Argentina
08/14/2012
Walter Prado



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Species videos

Count: 1




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Species reports



 Detail of places sorted by number of records






Species records

Count: 15



Page 1 of 2
Record IDDateExact timeCountryProvince / departmentPlaceFilmedPhotographedRecorded vocalObservedHeardWounded or deadNumber of individualsUser or BibliographyDetail
250254020/07/2026ParaguaySan PedroAgroforestal Rio verdeHugo Caverzasi
249763420/07/2026ParaguaySan PedroArea protegida, Agro Forestal Río VerdeRoberto Fermín Derna
247502426/05/2026ArgentinaFormosaEl Paso Ghisla, Loma Monte Lindo PiranéPablo Ezequiel Ghisla
203209511/05/2024BoliviaDepartamento de Santa CruzSan Jose de chiquitosJoey Rivero Gutierrez
181981520/07/2023ArgentinaFormosaSeccional Laguna Blanca, Parque Nacional Río PilcomayoElsa Longo
180784520/07/2023ArgentinaFormosaSeccional Laguna Blanca, Parque Nacional Río PilcomayoGuillermo Marcaida
166496510/09/2022ArgentinaFormosaPuesto "la Esperanza"Cristian Neumann
78522924/11/2017ArgentinaSaltaBurelaPablo Scazzina
40757320/01/2016BoliviaDepartamento de Santa CruzParque regional Lomas de arenaNicolas Olejnik
36525915/12/2014BoliviaTarijaSuarurito, Suarurito-tco Itika GuasuEfraim Miguel Penaranda Barrios
Page 1 of 2

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Recommended citation
Please use the following reference when citing this species account.
EcoRegistros. 2026. Polychrus acutirostris – Species account. Accessed from www.ecoregistros.org on 30/10/2026.