Mexican Green Tree Lizard Abronia graminea

The Emerald Guardian of the Cloud Forest

Abronia graminea, also known as the Mexican Green Tree Lizard, inhabits the misty highlands of Mexico’s cloud forests. Its striking turquoise-green scales and calm temperament make it one of the most captivating arboreal lizards in the world. With its prehensile tail and delicate balance, it moves gracefully among the branches like a living jewel suspended in the forest canopy.

Care and Behavior

• Preferred Temperature: Maintain 24–28°C (75–82°F) by day and above 20°C (68°F) at night, with humidity between 70–90%.
• Main Diet: Feeds on a variety of insects and small invertebrates.
• Personality Traits: Calm, observant, and highly arboreal with a strong grasping tail.
• Activity Pattern: Diurnal — active during the day, resting at night, often perching high among branches.
• Environment Tips: Best kept in tall, humid, and well-ventilated enclosures with natural foliage and climbing branches.

Ecological Observation Notes

In the wild, Abronia graminea inhabits elevations between 1,200–2,500 meters, within dense and humid forests. Its scale structure reflects light differently based on humidity, creating a shimmering turquoise glow  a natural adaptation to its misty surroundings. This species has exceptional tactile and vibrational awareness. When light levels drop, it often enters a  "semi-rest observation state," relying on subtle air and branch movements to detect changes nearby  a fascinating survival instinct. In captivity, maintaining humidity gradients and vertical space encourages natural climbing behavior and helps preserve healthy shedding cycles.