Scientists have discovered a new 'alligator-like' creature hanging up to 60 feet in the air on treetops in Mexico.
The 'unusually large' species, which is related to the tree alligator lizard, was found in southern Mexico and is believed to have avoided detection by hiding in foliage.
Researchers searched for the elusive lizard five times between 2015 and 2022 after “intriguing” images of the animal emerged in 2014, according to a study published by PLOS One diary.
The search for the new Coapilla species of reptile posed 'extraordinary difficulties' as the latest species are known to be quite 'mysterious' and difficult to recognize due to their 'cryptic behaviour'.
The reptile is also called Abronia cunemica, after Cuñemo, the 'indigenous Zoque language' name for Coapilla, the city in the Mexican state of Chiapas, about 700 kilometers from Mexico City.
Researchers have found a new 'alligator-like' creature hanging up to 60 feet in the air on treetops in Mexico
The new species is related to the tree alligator lizard and was found in Coapilla, a city in southern Mexico, about 700 kilometers from Mexico City.
These lizards are found exclusively in Coapilla and are known to reach a length of about 9.8 inches
These lizards have only been found in Coapilla and They are known to reach a length of about 9.8 inches and usually have yellow and brown scaly bodies with dark brown spots.
Their eyes are also 'light yellow' in color and are accompanied by dark spots. The species can be found in the canopy or in the highest peaks of the forest, which can range from 3 to 20 meters in height.
Alligator lizards are generally only found in 'humid highland forests' found only in Central America. They are also rarely seen due to their limited ranges.
The research team included Adam Clause, Roberto Luna-Reyes, Oscar Mendoza-Velazquez, Adrián Nieto-Montes de Oca and Israel Solano-Zavaleta.
The team also discovered two pregnant female lizards and two others “in a courtship on the forest floor, having apparently fallen.”
The search for the reptile posed 'extraordinary difficulties' as the latest species is known to be quite 'mysterious' and difficult to spot due to their 'cryptic behaviour'.
A study published by the journal PLOS One found that the creatures were so difficult to detect because they skillfully hide and blend in with the tall foliage in their environment
Once researchers captured the male, he released the female he bit, but later that day they noticed a “persistent bite grip on her head and neck.”
The emergent species are known to only emerge in the morning and afternoon and the team noted that they encountered a female within 30 feet (9 meters) twice, 97 days apart.
The study also concluded that the Coapilla tree alligator lizards may be inactive for part of the year.
In 2022, six of the world's smallest frogs were discovered in Mexico, some of which turned out to be smaller than a penny.
The miniature amphibians have been spotted in various habitats in Mexico and have only just been discovered because they bear a striking resemblance to other close relatives.
The scientist who helped identify the new Craugastor species said they should be considered endangered and has called for their protection.
In 2022, six of the smallest frogs in the world were discovered in Mexico, some of which turned out to be smaller than a penny
The miniature amphibians were spotted in various habitats in Mexico and have only just been described as they bear a striking resemblance to other close relatives.
Dr. Jeff Streicher, senior curator of amphibians and reptiles at the Natural History Museum, was involved in the description of the species.
“My supervisor and I were interested in them because they are really plentiful, while many frogs are quite difficult to find,” Streicher said.
The six new frogs have since brought the total number of these frogs in Mexico to twelve. These include C. bitonium, named for its bicolor color pattern, and others named for the local environment.
Of the six species, the C. portilloensis species was just over 11 millimeters long, but because they were not yet fully grown it was difficult to estimate how much bigger they could grow.